Texas History

  • 10,000 BCE

    10000 BCE

    Proto-Indians live at the Gault site.
  • 1500 BCE

    1500 BC

    Coastal American Indians make knives and scrapers from stone.
  • 100

    American Indians

    American Indians living near Galveston Bay begin making pottery.
  • Nov 15, 1000

    Caddo

    The Caddos grow many kinds of crops in East Texas
  • Nov 15, 1519

    Alonso Alvarezde de Pineda

    Alonso Alvarez de Pineda maps the Texas coast
  • Nov 15, 1528

    Europeans Encounter the Karankawas

    Europeans arrive in Texas and encounter the Karankawas
  • Nov 15, 1541

    Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

    Explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado crosses the Texas Panhandle.
  • Nov 15, 1554

    Treasure Fleet Shipwrecks

    A Spanish treasure fleet shipwrecks off of present-day Padre Island
  • Nov 15, 1581

    Hernan Gallegos

    Spaniard Hernan Gallegos writes about the lives of the Jumano Indians in Texas.
  • Longest River

    The Rio Grande, which Begins in Colorado and flows along the Texas- Mexico border, runs 1,896 miles
  • Juan de Onate

    Juan de Oñate crosses the Texas Panhandle on his way to Quivira.
  • Spaniard First seeing Apache

    Spaniards first record seeing Apache Indians riding horses
  • French explore Matagorda

    A group of colonists led by French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle lands in Matagorda Bay in Texas
  • Building mission

    The Spanish build a mission named San Francisco de los Tejas.
  • Martin de Alarcon

    Martin de Alarcon establishes the San Antonio de Valero mission.
  • Settlers arrive in San Antonio

    Settlers from the canary Islands arrive in San Antonio.
  • Rancher Tomas Sanchez

    Rancher Tomas Sanchez establishes the town of Laredo.
  • Marques de Rubi

    The Marques de Rubi expedition begins.
  • Antonio Gil Ybarbo

    Antonio Gil Ybarbo founds the town of Nacogdoches in East Texas
  • Juan Agustin Morfi

    Spanish priest Juan Agustin Morfi, author of the History of Texas, 1673-1779, dies
  • Philip Nolan

    Philip Nolan, a U.S. citizen, receives permission to capture wild horses in Texas.
  • Philip Nolan

    Philip Nolan, a U.S. citizen, receives permission to capture wild horses in Texas.
  • James Long invades Texas

    U.S. citizen James Long and a small force invade Texas, only to be defeated by Spanish forces.
  • Mexico Wins Independence

    Mexico, which includes Texas, wins it independence from Spain.
  • Granting Moses Austin

    The Spanish government grants Moses Austin permission to found a colony in Texas
  • Settler Jared Groce

    Settler Jared Groce plants a cotton crop, possibly the first in Stephen f. Austin's colony.
  • Anglo settlers

    about 3,000 Anglo settlers live in Texas without the permission of the Mexican government
  • Martin de Leon

    Empresario Martin de Leon settlers families of the lower Guadalupe River
  • Mexican Officials Adopt Constitiution

    Mexican officials adopt the Constitution of 1824. Coahuila and Texas are merged to form one state.
  • Fredonian Rebellion Begins

    The Fredonian Rebellion begins when Haden Edwards declares independence from Mexico.
  • Stephen F. Ausitin

    Stephen F. Austin Receives a contract to settle an additional 100 families in Texas.
  • General Manuel de Mier y Teran

    General Manuel de Mier y Teran begins a tour of Texas for the Mexican government
  • Texas Gazette

    The Texas Gazette newspaper begins publication in Austin's colony
  • Thomas J. Pilgrim

    Thomas J. Pilgrim organizes a Sunday school and private boys' school in San Felipe.
  • President Guerrero

    President Guerrero issues a decree ending slavery in Mexico, but an exemption is made for Texas.
  • Mexico issues with laws

    On April 6 Mexico issues a law that changes rules on immigration and trade in Texas.
  • Town of Gonzales receives cannon from Mexico

    The town of Gonzales receives a cannon from the Mexican government to defend citizens against American Indian attacks.
  • Marry Austin letters.

    Marry Austin Holley's letters, describing life in early Texas, are published.
  • Texas Farmers Export

    Texas farmers export some 7,000 bales of cotton, worth about $310,000, to New Orleans.
  • Stephen F. Austin Arrests Saltillo

    Stephen F. Austin is Arrested in Saltillo.
  • Texas settlers attack Mexican

    Texas settlers attack Mexican soldiers at Gonzales, forcing them to leave.
  • Texas settlers give 3,500 land grants

    Texas settlers hold about 3,500 land grants.
  • Immigrants enter Texas

    An estimated 1,000 U.S. immigrants enter Texas each month.
  • Texas Becomes Concerned

    Texans become concerned when the Mexican government officially abolishes the Constitution of 1824.
  • Texas troops push Mexican away from San Antonio.

    Texas troops push Mexican troops out of San Antonio, capturing the city.
  • The Siege

    The Siege of the Alamo begins.
  • The Texas Declatation

    The Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted.
  • Texans Wins

    Texans win the Battle of San Jacinto, ending the Texas Revolution.
  • First official Texas flag Adopted

    The first official Texas flag is adopted by the Texas Congress.
  • Sam Houston becomes the popularly elected president

    Sam Houston becomes the first popularly elected president of the Republic of Texas
  • Texas Government begins work in Houston

    The Texas government begins work in Houston, the new capital
  • The U.S. Congress

    The U.S. Congress authorizes a diplomat to go to Texas.
  • Texans elect Mirabeau B.

    Texans elect Mirabeau B. Lamar president.
  • Velasco citizens

    Velasco citizens hold a horse race on the coast near the town.
  • William H. Wharton is Elected

    William H. Wharton is elected to the Texas Senate
  • Texas passes a homestead law.

    Texas passes a homestead law, protecting settlers' homes from being seized to pay debts.
  • France Becomes first European

    France becomes the first European nation to recognize Texas as an independent country.
  • Highest Point

    Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in the state at 8,749 feet above sea level.
  • Austin the New Capital.

    Austin, the new capital, has 850 residents.
  • The First College

    The first college charted by the Republic, Rutersville College, is founded.
  • Galveston University opens

    Galveston University opens its doors to five students.
  • Sam Houston president republic.

    Texans again elect Sam Houston president of the republic.
  • William Kennedy

    William Kennedy publishes Texas: The Rise, Progress, and Prospects of the Republic of Texas.
  • President Mirabeau B. Lamar

    President Mirabeau B. Lamar sends the Texas Navy to the Yucatan coast.
  • Snider de Pellegrini

    Snider de pellegrini, director of a French colonization company, brings 14 settlers to Texas.
  • Tehuacana Creek Council

    The Tehuacana Creek Councils lead to peace between Texans and several Texas Indian groups.
  • President Sam Houston

    President Sam Houston sends troops into East Texas to end the Regulator-moderator War.
  • Prince Carl

    Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels comes to Texas followed by a group of German immigrants.
  • Anson Jones Been elected for President

    Texans elect Anson Jones president of the Republic
  • African living in Texas

    At least 30,000 enslaved African Americans live in Texas
  • United States, Texas

    The United States annexes Texas.
  • Thomas J. Rusk

    Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston become the first Texans to serve in the U.S. Senate.
  • Fighting Breaks out Between U.S.

    Fighting breaks out between U.S. forces and Mexican troops at Pal Alto and Resaca de la Palma.
  • Texas signs a peace treaty

    Texas signs a peace treaty with the Penateka Comanches
  • George T. Wood

    George T. Wood is elected governor of Texas.
  • Samuel H. walker Death

    Samuel H. Walker dies in combat during a conflict in Mexico.
  • A State Census

    A state census reports the states's population at more than 142,00
  • POP.

    the Texas population reaches 200,000
  • Melinda Rankin

    In her book Texas in 1850, Melinda Rankin describes the state and urges people to move to Texas
  • Port Isabel Lighhouse

    Work begins on the Port Isabel Lighthouse. When completed. Its light could be see from 16 miles away.
  • U.S. Army Troops leaves Fort Worth

    U.S. Army troops abandon Fort Worth after settlers move farther west beyond the fort
  • 1853

    After many false starts, track in finally laid for the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railway
  • American Know-Nothing

    The American, or Know-Nothing, Party becomes active in Texas.
  • Governor's Mansion built in Austin

    The Governor's Mansion is built in Austin.
  • 1856

    Slaves in Colorado county acquire weapons and plan a rebellion, but the plot is discovered before in can begin.
  • 1858

    The Butterfield Overland Mail begins taking passengers and mail by stagecoach from Missouri, through Texas, and on the California
  • Sam Houston defeats Hardin Runnels

    Sam Houston easily defeats incumbent Hardin Runnels in the election for Teas Governor
  • A series of clashes occurs.

    A series of clashes occurs between Texas Rangers and Mexican Americans near Brownsvillle.
  • 1859

    Texas produces a record crop of more than 400,000 bales of cotton.
  • 1861

    The Texas Frontier Regiment is established.
  • 1863

    The Texas cattle population increases rapidly during the Civil War.
  • 1864

    Colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson leads an attack against Plains Indians in the Panhandle.
  • 1865

    The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect in Texas, freeing the Texas, freeing the states's slaves
  • 1868

    African American George T. Ruby is elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
  • 1868

    Fort Richardson is established near Jacksboro.
  • 1869

    Republican Edmund J. Davis is elected
  • 1869

    Texas cowboys move a herd of 15,000 cattle to market. It is the larges single herd of the era.
  • 1870

    Texas has 583 miles of rail lines
  • 1871

    A public school system is created in Texas.
  • Wettest Place

    In 1873 Clarksville received 109.4 inches of rain.
  • 1873

    Ranchers begins to ship thousands of cattle from Denison after the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad extends a line there.
  • 1874

    The Democratic Party regains full control of state government
  • 1874

    Plains Indians attack a group of Buffalo hunter in the Battle of Adobe Walls.
  • 1875

    Comanche leader Quanah Parker surrenders, ending the Red River War.
  • 1876

    Texas adopts a new constitution.
  • 1876

    About 2,700 animal die during a cattle stampede near the Brazos River
  • 1876

    About 2,700 animal die during a cattle stampede near the Brazos River
  • 1876

    The Texas Legislature passes a law that allows the state to fund railroads with land grants.
  • 1876

    Texas A&M University opens as an all-male military Institution
  • 1879

    Apache leader Victorio launches rids along the Texas Mexico border.
  • 1881

    The Texas and pacific railway meets the Southern Pacific line near El Paso, forming the first transcontinental railroad route through Texas.
  • 1882

    A ranch in the Panhandle purchases enough barbed wire to fence 250,000 acres.
  • 1883

    The University of Texas formally opens.
  • 1886

    the Knights of Labor begin in major strike against a Gould's Railroad Company
  • 1889

    There are more than 8,000 miles of railroad tracks in Texas
  • 1889

    the Texas legislature passes a Antitrust Act of 1889
  • 1890

    Texas normal normal college and teacher training institute, now called the University of North Texas, open in Denton.
  • 1891

    The Texas Railroad Commission is established to regulate railroads in Texas.
  • 1892

    A leading Association of farmers endorses the populist party.
  • 1894

    Drillers strike oil and Corsicana.
  • 1900

    Texas has more than 350,000 farms and also almost are tenant farmers.
  • 1900

    a hurricane hit Galveston killing some 6000 to 8000 people.
  • 1901

    The Spindletop well strike oil producing more than 17 million barrels of oil the next year.
  • 1905

    A large oils drink is made in Humble oil field in Harris country.
  • 1905

    Oil is discovered at Goose Creek along Galveston Bay.
  • 1911

    Jovita Idar becomes the first president of the league of Mexican women.
  • 1914

    The Houston Ship Channel opens in Houston to McKenzie important oil refining Center
  • 1918

    Texas ratifies the eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution which bans the sale or manufacture of alcohol.
  • 1919

    An application is filled film to drill for oil on state land in West Texas. Several years later the Santa Rita No. 1 stroke oil.
  • Coldest spot

    the lowest recorded temperature in Texas was a chilly -23f, occurring in 1899 at Tulia and in 1933 at seminole.
  • Hottest Spot

    The highest recorded temperature in Texas was blistering 120f, occurring in 1936 at seymour and in 1994 at Monahans.
  • Driest Place

    Wink received just 1.76 inches of rain in 1995
  • Texas Timber

    The Texas timber industry earned more than $1.9 billion in 2007
  • Sales of Texas

    Sales of Texas livestock totaled more than $10.8 billion in 2007
  • Cotton Worth

    In 2011 the value of Texas cotton production reached over $1.5 billion.
  • billions

    in 2012 Texas produced about 730 million barrels of crude oil worth some $55 billion.
  • Texas bilions

    Texas has an estimated 23 billion tons of lignite, a type of coal.
  • Texas Export

    Texas exports of computers and electronics were worth more than $45 billion in 2012
  • Ogallala Aquifer

    the Ogallala Aquifer is the largest underground water source in Texas.
  • Texas 244,700

    In 2012 there were more than 244,700 farms in Texas
  • Texas 6 million

    more than 6 million acres of Texas land are irrigate.
  • Texas Agriculture

    Agriculture added some $36 billion to the Texas economy in 2012
  • largest lake in texas

    Caddo Lake is the largest natural lake in Texas, covering more than 39 square miles (half of which are in Louisiana).
  • Toledo Bend

    Toledo Bend reservoir on the Sabine river holds more than 5.5 billion cubic meters of water.
  • What Texas Contains

    Texas contains more than 60 million acres of forests and woodlands.
  • Many acres

    with 800,000 acres of land, Big Bend National Park is the largest national park in Texas.
  • Rancher Tomas Sanchez

    Rancher Tomas Sanchez establishes the town of Laredo
  • American Indian Attack

    An American Indian attack on the Green DeWitt colony forces settlers to flee Gonzales.
  • Discrimination and Attacks

    Repeated attacks and discrimination force more than 100 Tejano families flee Nacogdoches.
  • General Adrian Woll

    General Adrian Woll and about 1,400 Mexican soldiers capture San Antionio