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The Caldwell County Courthouse, located in Lockhart, Texas, is often
called the most photographed courthouse in Texas, and for good reason!
Located on the eastern edge of the fast growing central Texas Austin-San
Antonio Corridor, Lockhart/Caldwell County is just 17 miles from I-35 and
17 miles from I-10. In addition, Lockhart is only 25 miles from the new
Austin Bergstrom International Airport via US-183, a 4-lane transportation
route.
These links are provided courtesy of the
City of Lockhart:
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Welcome to the Caldwell County Historical Commission
"Caldwell County was established in 1848 and named after Mathew
"Old Paint" Caldwell, Indian fighter and signer of the Texas
Declaration of Independence.
"Caldwell County was created from part of Gonzales County and is
also bounded by Hays, Guadalupe, Bastrop and Travis Counties. The county
line with Hays still boasts faint traces of the old Spanish Camino Real.
Lockhart, the county seat, lies about 30 miles from Austin, the state
capital, and 18 miles from San Marcos, Texas.
"The last major Indian raid in Texas history was successfully
defeated in Caldwell County at the Battle of Plum Creek on August 12, 1840.
White settlers aided by Tonkawas permanently ended Comanche raids on the
settlers of this area.
"Caldwell County was home to many Confederate soldiers, and later
became a major source of investors and drovers for the massive cattle
drives north to the Chisholm Trail. These cattle barons included J.J.
Myers, A. L. Brock, and others. Later, the era of cotton growing provided
the impetus for the building of some of the larger historic homes in the
county. In the '20s and '30s an oil boom in Luling created wealth based on
Black Gold. Luling has created the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum to
commemorate this era in our county history.
"Lockhart and Luling form parts of both the Independence Trail and
the Chisholm Trail tourism initiatives in Texas. Chisholm Trail Days in
June in Lockhart and the Watermelon Thump in Luling are just two of the
many celebrations that entertain visitors. And last, but not least, most
hungry travelers visit the county for a taste of sausage and barbeque, for
which the county is justifiably famous.
"The Historical Commission sponsors the Caldwell County Museum and
Visitor's Center located at 315 E. Market Street in Lockhart. Various
aspects of county history are portrayed here. The castellated building, one
block off Highway 183, is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. and
by appointment for special tours.
"The Caldwell County Historical Commission was created as an arm of
county government in 1974 and has since won many awards for historical preservation.
Meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Thursday of every
month except August and September in the public meeting room at the First
Lockhart National Bank, on San Antonio Street. For more information on
programs and activities please consult this site or write to P.O. Box 884,
Lockhart, TX 78644."
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"Speaking of the Dead"
2009
6th Annual
"Night Ramblings in a Texas
Graveyard"
In the historic City of Lockhart Cemetery
The 6th Annual Speaking of the Dead:
Night Ramblings in a Texas Graveyard will be held on Friday and Saturday,
October 23 & 24th, 2009.
A Tour of the Lockhart City Cemetery is sponsored by the Caldwell County
Historical Commission and the City of Lockhart
For tickets and information, please call: 512-398-6292. Tickets are
again the
low price of $10.00 each. Tours begin at the City Park.
Come early to enjoy the free musical entertainment. Drinks, food, t-shirts
will also be available for purchase.
Tours begin at the City Park.
Come early to enjoy the free musical entertainment. Drinks and food
will also be available for purchase.
2008 was another resounding success; For 2009, we will have different
routes, stellar actors, and we have again been guaranteed "NO
MOSQUITO'S!"
Thank you to the following for sponsoring and donating services to make
the 4th Annual Speaking of the Dead: Night Ramblings in a Texas Graveyard a
success.
SPONSORS:
City of Lockhart
Bluebonnet Electric Co-op
Thrivent Financial
SPECIAL THANKS:
Black's Barbecue
Chisholm Trail Bar-B-Q
Claude Hinkle Surveyors
HEB
JoAnn Blume
Kreuz Market
Livengood's Feeds
Pat Schneider
Smitty's Market
Veronica & Gary Drew
Wal-Mart
Wolf Creek Ranch & Terry Alford
Caldwell County Museum and Visitor Center at the historic old jail,
located at 315 E. Market Street, just east of downtown Lockhart.
Open Sat & Sun, 1pm - 5pm or by appointment
Humphrey Cemetery
link
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