For more pictures of Kyle, Texas

Origins:

    The first people who came to Kyle had to stop to see the most exciting event, it was the "double line of iron runners which was the brand-new International & Great Northern Railroad" (Strom, 1).They had come that day on October of 1881 not only to celebrate the coming of the train, but to go to the auction of eighteen blocks that had been filed September 7, 1880. The people pulled aside their wagons and surreys to watch the event with picnic baskets filled with fried chicken, deviled eggs, potato salad, and cakes, pies, and home-made bread.

     Mammy, the servant and guardian to the Haupt family, was not sure about the idea of a thing with fire in it. As she fixed her eyes on one of the Haupt boys, Lewis, ran along with a few other boys who were on their hands and knees, with their ears pressed against the rails to hear if the train was near. When she heard the whistle, and saw the train come storming in she realized it wasn't going to stop. "Without stopping to think, Mammy ran out to head off that raging bull. She stepped out on the track, waving her starched, white apron, determined not to let the train go past. If she had not been pulled back by the men from the crowd… [the train] might not have spared her serious injury" (Strom, 2).The train stopped, and the people gathered around to see the train that would take "this section of Central Texas out of isolation and connect it to the world" (Strom, 2).

Founders:

    There were quite a few families that came to Kyle to farm, especially in an area where the railroad ran through. Among these families was the Kyle family.

     Claiborne and Lucy Bugg Kyle moved to Texas during the time of the Republic of Texas, when Hays County was primarily used for cattle grazing. On September 6, 1834, their son Ferg Kyle was born, and ten years later his parents would move to a settlement along the Blanco River. About that time, Ferg was accepted at one of the best schools available, Trail's Academy in Austin.

     Ferg Kyle enlisted into the English Texas Cavalry as a private when the Civil War first began. Following the battle of Shiloh, Kyle became a captain and helped General Chestham without being paid. Ferg Kyle's brothers: Privates William, Polk, Curran, and Andrew Jackson Kyle were also part of Ferg's company.

     In July 22, 1864, Ferg returned home and upon arrival he began farming and stock raising. Kyle was then elected to the Twelfth Legislature of the state; during his Seventeenth and Eighteenth Legislatures and served as sergeant-at-arms, where he co-sponsored the bill which caused Texas to buy the Alamo.

     Ferg Kyle ended his bachelorhood in 1860 when he married the daughter of Judge David E. Moore, Annie Moore. Seven years later in 1867, the Kyle family packed up their things and moved to the Moore ranch, where the town of Kyle was built. Mr. and Mrs. Ferg Kyle had eight children during their lives: Mary, Sidney Jackson, Albert Jackson, Ailene, Josephine, Edwin Jackson, Rose, and Ellen.

     May 19, 1906, at age seventy four, Ferg Kyle died of pneumonia and was buried in the Kyle Cemetery. He died the oldest member of the Texas Legislature. In 1867, the Kyle family came to the spot where Kyle of what became the town of Kyle, Texas; however, they were not the first ones who came to that settlement. In 1853, Major Edward Burleson, Jr, came to that very location.

     The son of General Edward and Sarah Owen Burleson was born on November 26, 1826. Edward moved to Bastrop, Texas in 1831, and then later moved to San Marcos. In Bastrop, Edward's mother taught her husband a lesson. When the Indians raided the Anglo-American community, Edward Sr. set off with a ranging company to pursue them. Her husband left her without firewood, and she just didn't feel that she was capable of getting it herself. In desperate need of wood, Sarah Owen Burleson had her maids crawl on the roof of the house and bring down boards. Sarah had run the plantation and livestock so well that when "Burleson as general, or vice-president or posseman would come home, he would ask her, 'Old lady, how many hogs you got? What sort of crop you got?'" (Strom, 7).

     At age twenty, Edward Jr. was eligible in the Mexican War to serve under Ben McCulloch with the Texas Mounted Rangers, which was responsible for some of the victories. General Edward Burleson served as vice-president of the Republic of Texas in 1841-1844, also serving in the Mexican War.

     After the Mexican War(reference), Edward moved from Bastrop to Hays County in 1848 along the San Marcos River. Edward began building a home of his own in 1853, later it became what is now known as the first Texas Historical Building Medallion ever paid by the Hays County Historical Commission given in November 3, 1962. Edward married the daughter of the early settler Claiborne Kyle, Lucy Emma Kyle, on February 15, 1854, and merged with the Kyle family.

     Edward served under John S. Ford from 1856 to 1857; eventually earning the rank of major in the Texas Rangers. He again served under many generals in the Confederate Army during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. "In 1875 he performed a special service for his state by serving as a delegate from the Twenty-first District to the Constitutional Convention" (source 2). Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burleson, Jr., had seven children: John William, James Green, Ford McCulloch (John S. Ford was a general Edward served under during the Texas Rangers, and Ben McCulloch was the general he served under during the Civil War), Albert Sidney, Emma, Lillie (or Lily), and Mary.

     His children had also made a mark in history, just like their father did. Miss Emma Burleson became involved with the Austin city library, and other cultural institutions (source 2). Lillie married George W. McDonnell, and donated the golden eagle that is on the top of the staff of the American flag to St. David's Church in Austin(reference).

     Albert Sidney was able to practice law by the age of twenty-one. In 1913, Albert Sidney became postmaster general of the United States, in addition to being a great businessman, banker, representative in the 56th and 63rd United States Congresses, and remained as the postmaster general until 1921.
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nbsp;    Sarah Owen, or Mrs. Edward Burleson, Jr., died February 5, 1877, and her husband died shortly after on May 12, 1877. "It was said [Edward] died of grief" (source 2). Mr. and Mrs. Edward Burleson, Jr., were both buried in the Kyle Cemetery.

Early Establishments:

    When the eighteen lots were being auctioned off, the lots were not just bought to farm, but to start businesses in the town. The businessmen hoped that with the railroad coming through this area would bring them prosperity.

     The first business recognized was a saloon run by Tom Martin. However, towns during that time were expected to have their share of saloons to provide diversity. The lumber yard was brought by H.C. Wallace and J.A. Thompson. D.A. Young built the first rock store building. Otto Groos ran the first dry goods store. H. Hellman later purchased the Groos stock and maintained a general store.

     E.E. Banner became the first postmaster; the Kyle Weekly Nutshell was the first newspaper in 1881 by A.L. Cashell. Major Ezekiel Nance put up the first gin. Otto Groos, O.G. Parke, and Dr. T.E. Parke owned the first bank, The Kyle Bank, in 1893. Today the descendent of the Schlemmer family, Norman Schlemmer is the bank's president, now known as the Kyle State Bank.

     Baptist, Methodist, and Christian churches are the three primary denominations in Kyle, Texas. On September 7, 1872, the Kyle Baptist Church came together in Mountain City, where the first pastor was Elder J.C. Tally. When the Science Hall was built, the church's community could go to the church that would be closer to home; where Reverend Z.N. Morrell preached in December of 1880. In July of 1882, the building of the church took place during the time when Reverend B. Hatcher was the pastor.

     Reverend Tom Garrett was the first pastor of the Kyle Methodist Church in 1880, along with Reverend J.G. Vest and Reverend W.J. Joyce. The Methodist church was constructed in 1887 and the March of 1888, dedicated to Bishop Duncan, a man who controlled the West Texas Conference. The first wedding ceremony performed in the Kyle Methodist Church was for W.M. Rogers and Miss Annie Rogers in 1888, and in 1889 the second ceremony was J.N. Houston and Miss Roberta Wallace. John Y. Stephenson, Daniel Cochreham, and Professor Phinney were the first superintendents of the Sunday school during this time.

     In 1905, Reverend Arthur G. Jones led the first Christian church in Kyle, called the Kyle Christian Church of course. Members affiliated with the church were: Mr. and Mrs. I.N. Millhollon, Mr. and Mrs. David Herrick, Mrs. N.S. Jeffreys, Mrs. L.M. Garner, Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Shannon, and Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Posey. In 1914 the church was constructed, and the Sunday school was being held in the park building.

     Just before 1889, a school opened to two hundred and fifty students; the principal was W.M. Jordan. However, in 1889 the school became a Baptist seminary, but the school was later closed (San Antonio Express News, 2).

Famous Places and Faces of Kyle:

     Many famous or at least historical figures have called this town home. Including, John Wheeler Bunton, a hero at the end of the battle at San Jacinto (reference), Ambassador Edwin J. Kyle, American League baseball pitcher C.C. 'Tex' Hughson, historian Milton Nance, and authors Katherine Anne Porter and Lena Elithe Hamilton Kirkland" (reference). Another quick historical fact is that in "1937 Mary Kyle Hartson, daughter of Fergus Kyle, was elected mayor by a write-in vote… [and] in the early 1940s Kyle was noted as the only Texas town with an all-woman government." (Tyler, 1172). Historical sites include the Claiborne Kyle Log House, open to the public only on Sundays in October, and the Porter Museum , and the Cross House, which was built in the shape of a cross.

     The Cross House has many different legends and/or theories to it's mystery. The first, the man who built the house for his dying wife left to join the Union army, and others thought it was because of the way his neighbors treated him. There is another story, though, "a small company of soldiers ate breakfast at the home of Ezekiel Nance on the Blanco River. [The soldiers] told of hanging a man in the Cross House, but whether or not it was Roger [the man who built it] remains a mystery" (Strom, 167). People have also seen strange lights from the house, and for a while it became a home for fugitives. "It was also said that two men once ran cattle on the place and lived in the Cross House. Neighbors investigated their disappearance; found them shot and lying dead in a nearby well" (Strom, 168).

Events:

     At different times of the year there are several events that bring everyone out for the local festivities. On January 1st-nearly the beginning of winter-the Polar Bear Club has among the craziest people daring to take a dip in the pool. Creek Clean-Up "Keeping Texas Beautiful" is scheduled in early March; and in early April, it's the Kyle Easter Egg-stravaganza. In April, the Pitch Hit and Run Local Competition is held; and the pool opens in early May for weekends only or at least until the end of the month, when the pool is opened everyday. Movies in the Park Summer Series seems like a really awesome date idea or even to take the kids along with you for a nice picnic. And what town wouldn't include an Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks, held every year. The biggest events held in Kyle are the celebration of its birthday on October 19th and 20th, called Fair on the Square. In late October, one can find little ghouls, goblins, and witches flying about at the Halloween Carnival and Haunted House; and at the end of the year, Kyle celebrates Santa's Arrival and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. (http://www.cityofkyle.com/parks/special-events.php)

Nearest Hospital, Airport, and Colleges/Universities:

    The nearest hospitals are Central Texas Medical Center, in San Marcos, Texas, about ten minutes away. The nearest public-used airport is the San Marcos Muni, about 8 miles away. The nearest colleges or universities are: Texas State University, about 10 miles away; Saint Edward's University, about 20 miles away; the University of Texas in Austin, about 23 miles away; and Austin Community College, about 27 miles away; and the nearest prison is located less than five minutes away from downtown Kyle(to go to article on Prison).
(http://www.city-data.com/city/Kyle-Texas.html)

Location:

     The small town of Kyle is located in central Texas in Hays County. Kyle is about twenty-one miles south of Austin, the state capital, and eight miles north of San Marcos; on Interstate 35. Kyle is on the southern point of the Texas blackland prairies.

     Just a few miles north of Kyle is the Texas Hill Country. The two are joined by the Balcones Escarpment(reference), "which roughly divides Texas from the Red River northeast of Dallas to Val Verde County," reference (Strom, 3) encountering the Rio Grande Valley(reference).

Interviews:

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Photos:

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More Recent Kyle:

     The nearest hospitals are Central Texas Medical Center, in San Marcos, Texas, about ten minutes away. The nearest public-used airport is the San Marcos Muni, about 8 miles away. The nearest colleges or universities are: Texas State University, about 10 miles away; Saint Edward's University, about 20 miles away; the University of Texas in Austin, about 23 miles away; and Austin Community College, about 27 miles away. http://www.city-data.com/city/Kyle-Texas.html

     Many famous or at least historical figures have called this town home. Including, John Wheeler Bunton, a hero at the end of the battle at San Jacinto, Ambassador Edwin J. Kyle, American League baseball pitcher C.C. 'Tex' Hughson, historian Milton Nance, and authors Katherine Anne Porter and Lena Elithe Hamilton Kirkland" (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/KK/hjk8.html). Another quick historical fact is that in "1937 Mary Kyle Hartson, daughter of Fergus Kyle, was elected mayor by a write-in vote… [and] in the early 1940s Kyle was noted as the only Texas town with an all-woman government" (Tyler, 1172). Historical sites include the Claiborne Kyle Log House, open to the public only on Sundays in October, and the Porter Museum (http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=26649), and the Cross House, which was built in the shape of a cross.

     The Cross House has many different legends and/or theories to it mystery. The first, the man who built the house for his dying wife left to join the Union army, and others thought it was because of the way his neighbors treated him. There is another story, though, "a small company of soldiers ate breakfast at the home of Ezekiel Nance on the Blanco River. [The soldiers] told of hanging a man in the Cross House, but whether or not it was Roger [the man who built it] remains a mystery" (Strom, 167). People have also seen strange lights from the house, and for a while it became a home for fugitives. "It was also said that two men once ran cattle on the place and lived in the Cross House. Neighbors investigated their disappearance; found them shot and lying dead in a nearby well" (Strom, 168).

Population:

     In a broad view of Kyle's population over the past century or so, the town has fluctuated from booming to a major decline, and finally a slow crescendo. During first two years of the founding, the greatest gains of population came to Kyle; exceeding five hundred people. This population rapidly decreased until 1928 when it finally stood still for awhile of about six-hundred people. According to the census tabulation in 1940 the population reached eight-hundred seventy four; the 1950 census showed a small increase to eight-hundred ninety two; the 1970 census showed one thousand six-hundred ninety two. In 1977, the census showed that the population was at twenty five-hundred, and the population in 1980 was predicted to be thirty five-hundred.

     On a more recent note, according to the Kyle city data (http://www.city-data.com/city/Kyle-Texas.html), in July 2005 the estimated population was 17,770, where 28 is the median residency age. 75.1% of people in Kyle have a high school degree or higher; 16% have a Bachelor's degree of higher; 2.8 % have a graduate of professional degree; and 2.4% are unemployed. 18.7% of the population is employed by educational, health, and social services; 16.8% are employed by manufacturing, 11% is employed by trade, and 10.7% is employed by public administration.

     For the population fifteen years and over in Kyle, 21.7% never married, 62.3% are now married, 2.2% are separated, 4.5% are widowed, and 9.4% are divorced. In Kyle, crime rates seem to be pretty low; however it still has it's skeletons. In recent years, there have been no murders, 1 rape, 2 robberies, 18 assaults, 22 burglaries, 100 thefts, 3 auto thefts.

Conclusion:

    Who's to say what exactly happened in the lives of the people who first came to Kyle, Texas. As Mammy, and the rest of the people waiting to see the train knew, the town that was built on the railroad would change their lives forever. Whether it be their businesses, farming, their traditions and culture, and faces; things changed for the people who came to Kyle in October of 1881. Between facts and fiction, records and people, one can only understand so much of the simplicity of a small town that grew more and more over a stretch of a "double line of iron runners" as well as the century.

Links: Kyle, Texas

Annotated Bibliography:

Books:

Dec. 2006.http://www.rootsweb.com

                        *This web page provided a great image of a brochure on the International & Great Northern Railroad.*

    Autumn 2006. Wikipedia. Nov.-Dec. 2006.

http://en.wikipedia.org

                        *This provided a reference to the Balcones Escarpment and the Rio Grande Valley.*

    "Kyle, Texas." 2006. ePodunk Inc. Oct.-Nov. 2006.

http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=26649

                        *This provided me with a lot of data information of Kyle, Texas.*

    "Kyle, Texas." Sept.-Oct. 2006.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Kyle-Texas.html

                        *This website provided me with a lot of data on Kyle, Texas.*

    McCord, Marc W. "Blanco River." 1 Sept. 2006. 4 Dec.

2006.http://www.southwestpaddler.com/images/Blancomap21.gif

                        *This wesite gave me a great picture for the Blanco River.*

    McKeehan, Wallace L. "The Battle of San Jacinto." Sons

of Dewitt Colony Texas. Nov.-Dec. 2006.http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batsanjacinto.htm

                        *This served as a reference to the history of the Battle of San Jacinto.*

    "Special Events." City of Kyle. Oct.-Nov. 2006.

http://www.cityofkyle.com/parks/special-events.php

                        *This website provided events and plans for Kyle.*

    Texas Escapes. 6 Nov. 2006. Texas Escapes Magazine. Oct.-Nov.

2006.http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasHillCountryTowns/KyleTexas/Kyle-City-Jail.htm

                        *This website gave me a lot of information and pictures.*

    The Texas Handbook Online. 6 June 2001. The General Libraries

At the University of Texas At Austin and the Texas State Historical Association.

http://www.rootsweb.comOct.-Nov. 2006.http://www.tsha.utexas.edu

                        *This helped me gather a lot of information.*

    "The Many Faces of Christ At St. David's Episcopal

Church." Oct.-Nov. 2006. http://www.stdave.org/History/struc.html

                        *This website provided as a reference to St. David's Episcopal Church.*

    "U.S. Mexican War 1846 -1848." PBS. 14 Mar. 2006. PBS.

Nov.-Dec. 2006. http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/index_flash.html

                        *This served as a great reference to the Mexican War.*

    "Val Verde County, Texas." 2006. TXGenWeb and USGenWeb

project. http://www.historictexas.net/valverde/

                        *This provided as a reference to Val Verde County.*

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