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History
in a Pecan Shell
A man named Henry Russell held deed here on the Columbus
to Gonzales Road when Texas
was still a Republic. After the Civil War as Anglo settlers sold out to the arriving
German setters, the larger
land grants were broken up to accommodate more modest farms.
John Henkhaus
built a cotton gin and store alongside the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad
in 1887. The community waited until 1898 for a post office which operated in Henkhaus’
store. It closed just nine years later.
The tiny community enjoyed the
tranquility of the region, suffering no disasters and making little, if any, history.
Cotton was the sole enterprise other than family
gardening.
After WWII,
with a population remaining around 50 residents, Henkhaus’ school merged with
Moulton’s school and the old gin closed. Cotton
farming gave way to a cattle
and hay economy. Although the last businesses in Henkhaus closed years ago, the
population remains at around 60 people.
Henkhaus,
Texas TodayPhotographer's
Note
“Here is what
is left of Henkhaus Texas. A sign on Highway 95 points to Henkhaus and about
a mile down the road you will run into a T in the road at the railroad tracks.
This is where the town once was. There is only a single house with barns & outbuildings.
A HENKHAUS sign at the residence can be seen from the road confirming this is
the place!” - Will
Beauchamp, December 2009 |
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