| |
 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
In December 1890, a group of Cuero
businessmen bought 1,000 acres alongside the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad
to be the next county seat. Originally named Karnes, after Texas patriot
Henry Wax Karnes, "City" was added by postal authorities when the post office
opened in 1891. In 1892 an auction was held and the railroad built a spur to facilitate
the unloading of lumber for new homes and businesses.
An election was
held in December 21, 1893 to determine whether Runge,
Kenedy, Helena
or Karnes City would be the seat of government. In January 1894 records were moved
from Helena to Karnes
City. A new Courthouse
and jail were built and on May 25, 1894, a prisoner was hanged on the new courthouse
lawn, five months before the courthouse was dedicated.
See
Karnes County Courthouse
The first newspaper began publishing in 1891 and the first school in Karnes
City opened in October of that year. The building was used for classes, public
dances and church services on Sunday. The Karnes City Independent School District
was organized on May 24, 1894. In 1925 a new high school was built and a library
was built in 1972.
Karnes
City Historical Marker
Karnes
City Population |
 |
Karnes City City Limit POP 3457
Photo courtesy William
Beauchamp, 2009
Census Bureau: 3,357(2007 est.) 3,457(2000) 2,916(1990)
|
|
The two water towers of Karnes City
TE Photo 8-03
The Karnes City
City Hall
1939 photo Courtesy TXDoT | | |
|
