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History in
a Pecan Shell
It seems pretty far north for property related to the King Ranch,
but indeed, it was Mifflin Kenedy who bought this land in 1886 in
anticipation of the soon-to-arrive San Antonio and Aransas Pass
Railroad. It was, of course, named after him. Kenedy is acknowledged
as the “chief benefactor” of the SAAP railroad. The name Kenedy
Junction was applied in June of 1887 but the name was shortened
just three months later.
Kenedy Junction had a Y, splitting railroad traffic to either Houston
or Corpus
Christi. A larger depot was built which included a railroad
hotel – officially known as the Railroad Hotel. The establishment
also included a restaurant for the convenience of travelers.
As Kenedy waxed, nearby Daileyville waned and the post office of
the shrinking town was transferred to Kenedy – operating temporarily
under the roof of the Railroad Hotel.
German farmers from Fayette
County transmigrated into the new territory, and W. E. Thulemeyer,
is credited with being the agent. It was Thulemeyer who built the
first cotton gin in 1891.
An independent school district was organized in the 1890s and in
1908 a three-story school was constructed.
Kenedy incorporated in 1910 with a population of 1,147. Kenedy was
one of several towns in Texas to be
known as “Six-shooter Junction.” The reputation appears to have
come from salon patrons who saluted passing trains – or showed off
their wealth by wasting ammunition.
Hot mineral water was conveniently discovered near the railroad
station and hotel in 1915 which gave the town an economic boost,
and the town also held claim to one of the largest cotton compresses
in Texas.
The Kenedy Alien Detention Camp, opened during the war, holding
Germans, Italians, and Japanese diplomats and their dependants from
South American counties.
The town of
Kenedy claims the title of "Flax capital of Texas." Since the general
public isn’t quite sure of exactly what flax is – the annual Flax
Festival was discontinued. The less confusing Blue Bonnet Days
became the annual event – and is held each April.
Kenedy now plays host to the John Connally Unit of the Texas Department
of Corrections.
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