Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas

SMALL TOWN HISTORY: Three Rivers

Aaron E. Ricks	Fall 2001
History 1302	Hines

FOUNDING FATHERS:

Midway between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, where the Atascosa, Frio, and Nueces rivers meet, lies the town of Three Rivers. Three Rivers was founded on July 4, 1913, with a grand opening and the first public sale of land by the founder of Three Rivers, Charles R. Tips. When the town was first founded it was not known as Three Rivers, it was actually named Hamiltonburg at the request of Mrs. Annie T. Hamilton of Cuero, Texas. Mrs. Hamilton agreed upon a depot being built on the tract of land and sold it to Tips. Tips organized a capital of about $30,000 to buy the tract of land. When Hamiltonburg was up and running much of the mail intended for Hamiltonburg was mistakably being sent to the Texas community of Hamilton. The Post Office required a name change. Tips suggested that the town should be named for its location near the three rivers. On May 1, 1914 the town formally known as Hamiltonburg, was renamed Three Rivers. In 1926 the population was estimated at 1,000, in 1931 it was 1,275, and in 1965 it was 1,932. In 1998 Three Rivers reported 2,177 residents. Today the total population is 1,878. Approximately 891 are male and 987 are female.

HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT STORIES:

In 1922 large deposits of Quartzone sand, which is essential to the production of high-quality glass, was found just north of Three Rivers. The company managed to capture a major share of the Texas commercial glassware market before its sale to the Ball Glass Company in 1937. In 1920, natural gas was found just outside of Three Rivers and was piped into town, and a refinery Three Rivers Refinery

was built. Over time the small refinery grew to be the largest industry in Live Oak County, known as the Diamond Shamrock Refinery. In June of 1993, a report showed that the latest and largest expansion which boosted the output of crude to 70,000 barrels per day. The three rivers that meet near the town have have caused over 20 floods in the town's history. The worst floods were in 1919 and in 1967. In 1982 the town tried to stop the floods by building a levee around the town. The levee successfully stopped the floods. Along with the levee the Choke Canyon Dam also provided flood control and stability of the flood plain.

PARKS:

Located just west of Three Rivers, about three miles away, The Choke Canyon State Park, gives many fisherman good quality fishing. The Choke Canyon State Park is comprised of two units, Caliham and South Shore. Opened in 1986, the park features fishing and boating on a 26,000 acre reservoir. Both units provid developed (RV) and primitive campsites, hiking, boat ramps, and play grounds. The Calliham unit holds an Old Calliham townsite, campsites, screened shelters, seven lane boat ramp, rock jetty, fishing peer, swimming area, fish cleaning stations, trails, and concession

facilities. No admisson fee is charged. The restricted access 1,7000-acre North Shore Area accounts for most of the park's trail system, offering 18 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, as well as developed and primitive campsites and boat ramps. Established as a water supply for Corpus Christi, the reservoir is now home to a roughly 200 bird species and abundant wildlife, such as deer, javelina, wild turkey, greater roadrunner, and golden-fronted woodpecker.

Located one mile west of Texas 72 on the Frio River and part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife System, Three Rivers Tips Park is enjoyed by local residents as well as many visotors. People all over the county come to Three Rivers to see the beautiful waterfall, and test the fishing. That's not all, there are also camp grounds and picnic areas on the 21 acre park.

RIALTO THEATER:

Located to the left of city hall in the middle of town lies the town's number one tourist attraction. In the year of 1948 the movie house known as the Rialto theater opend its doors to the public for the first time. Many movies showed on the large screen until it was closed down in 1981. The Theater was recently purchased by the Three

Rivers Economic Development Corporation from Mrs. Hecto Chapa and a contract was awarded to the R&R Builders to make it into a working movie house. The Three Rivers Economic Development Corporation purchased the theater to give the citizens of Live Oak County a place to watch a movie on a large screen without having to drive over 50 miles. Sources show that the balcony is being made into a theater and have 150 seats. The downstairs theater will have 275 seats. The theater will be equipped with a brand new air conditioning and new seats. Although the inside is being completly redone from the screens to a little nursery for parents with young ones, the outside will keep its original look. The first movies to run on the re-opened thater are Pearl Harbor and Dr. Doolittle 2. The actual opening date had been scheduled for June 15, 2001, but was then put off until June 22 2001. Galan Jansky, the Rialto theater operator said "There is no question that R&R Builders and other vendors will meet the June 15 deadline, but I want time for testing and to get everything in perfect working order before we open."

INTERVIEWS:

Murrell D. Foster

Aaron:"When was the town founded?"

Murrell:"In 1913, but it was actually called Hamiltonburg until the post office had it changed on May 1,1914."

Aaron:"When did the explosion of the Diamond Shamrock Refinery occur?"

Murrell:"On July 14, 2001"

Aaron:"Did it cause any major damage to the town?"

Murrell:"No, not much at all."

Aaron:"Thank you"

Iris Johnston

Aaron:"How long have you lived in Three Rivers?"

Iris:"About 41 years."

Aaron:"What do you like most about Three Rivers?"

Iris:"The "small town" feeling"

Aaron:"What do you think brings most tourist in?"

Iris:"The theater, Choke Canyon Park, and the refinery."

Aaron:"Thank you"

Rosie Forehand

Aaron:"How long have you lived here?"

Rosie:"I moved here in 1960, so about 41 years."

Aaron:"Why did you move to Three Rivers?"

Rosie:"Well I went to school here when I was young and I moved here from the country when I got married"

Aaron:"If you had to pick another town to live in, which one would you choose?"

Rosie:"Georgetown, mainly because that is where my kids live"

Aaron:"What is Three Rivers like?"

Rosie:"Everyone here is real friendly, we are like a big family."

Aaron:"Thank you"

CHURCHES
Church of Christ

First Baptist Church

Three Rivers First United Methodist Church

RESTAURANTS AND MOTELS:

DAIRY QUEEN(HWY 281)
(361)786-2521

Handi Stop#3 Deli

(HWY 281)
(361)786-4335

Golden Chicken(HWY 281)
(361)786-4803

Mi Casita Cafe(HWY 72 West)
(361)786-4822

Nolan Ryan's Waterfront Restaurant
(HWY 72 West)
(361)786-4938

Hotels

Best Western Inn
200 N. Harborth(HWY 281)
(361)786-2000

Live Oak Lodge
N.Harborth(HWY 281)
(361)786-4440

Staghorn INN
1105 N. Harborth(HWY 281)
(361)786-3541

WEBSITES:

Click For Map

The Handbook of Texas ONLINE

Welcome to Key to the City's page of Three Rivers...

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Dutton, Robin. "The Hankbook of Texas Online." 1984.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/TT/htj5.html
Gave general information about the town.

2. Snow Enterprises. "U.S.A. cities Online."
http://www.usacitiesonline.com/txcountythreerivers.htm

3. "Mapquest"
http://www.mapquest.com
Gave map of Three Rivers, Texas.

4. "Standlee, Jeff. "Three Rivers Texas Webpage"
http://www.threeriverstx.org, Information on theater, parks, and town history.

5. "Whild Texas: Choke Canyon State Park"
http://www.wildtexas.com/parks/choke.htm, Gave Information on both sections of Choke Canyon State Park.

6. "Strause, Glynis. "Live Oak County"
pages 18-19 Information on town history,

7. "Three Rivers Texas"
pamplet from the Chamber of Commerce. Basic information of history, and parks.

8. "Table Dp-1." Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000

9. "Thank you Mr. Murrell D. Foster, Mrs. Iris Johnston, and Mrs. Rosie Forehand."

PEACE!

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