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History
in a Pecan Shell
Annie T. Hamilton paid the San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad to build
a depot on her land in 1913. Her money bought her the immortality of having the
town named Hamiltonburg. Her immortality was short-lived, however, when
mail was frequently sent in error to Hamilton,
Texas. The mail-receiving residents of Hamiltonburg wanted a new name - and
fast. Charles R. Tips who had sold parcels of land for the townsite, suggested
the town be named for its location near the three Rivers of Atascosa, Frio, and
Nueces. The new name was in effect on May 1, 1914 and we have been unable to find
a record of Annie Hamilton's reaction.
In 1920 natural gas was discovered,
piped into town and soon a refinery and a glass factory were built. The glass
factory was closed in 1938 but the refinery today now belongs to Valero (formerly
Diamond Shamrock) and is the town's major employer. In 1925 the population was
estimated at 1,000 and it slowly increased by 1965 to 1,932 and later to 2,177
by 1988.
The building of a dam produced Choke Canyon Lake. The
town has been flooded at least once. and only recently (2003) has the theater
downtown reopened after being totally restored.
See Three
Rivers Historical Marker
Three
Rivers Hotels - Book Here & Save |
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Photographer's
Note:
One
of the three rivers in Three Rivers. I didn't see the alligator sign until I was
walking off!! - Sarah
Reveley, January 2010 |
Bottom
of Dr Pepper bottle made at the Three Rivers Glass plant.
Photo courtesy Will
Beauchamp, 2009 |
Photographer's
Note:
The Three Rivers
Glass Factory made soda bottles for hundreds of bottling companies across Texas
and surrounding states. Most found have the mark 3 RIVERS* or 3R* on bottom or
on the heel. - Will
Beauchamp |
Three
Rivers Glass Factory Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Will
Beauchamp, 2009 |
Three Rivers Historical
Marker TextFounded
March 1913 by Charles R. Tips. An investor chartered June 12, 1913, as Hamiltonburg--named
for local family. Town lot sale began July 4, 1913. Townsite renamed by U.S. Postal
Department May 1, 1914, to mark fork of three rivers--Nueces, Atascosa and Frio.
Present interests are ranching, farming, gas, oil and recreation. |
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The Rialto Theatre
Only recently (2003) has the theater downtown reopened
after being totally restored.
TE photo, 2001
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Theatres |
Three
Rivers Texas Forum
Subject: Three Rivers History
I
am from there and I believe the last flood there was in the 1967 after hurricane
Beulah. In the 1980's (I believe it was the 80's...it could have started in the
late 70's) a levee was built around the city to keep it from flooding again. Also
Diamond Shamrock is now Valero. Just a few things I wanted to point out. All in
all I really enjoy this website...great work! Thanks, Stacy Meeks, Austin,
December 15, 2005
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