| |
| | A
stream near Tivoli
Photo by John Troesser, May 2003 |
History
in a Seashell
According to the Handbook of Texas Tivoli (pronounced
Ty-vole-ah) was founded in 1907 by rancher Preston R. Austin. Austin (with partners)
was also responsible for the founding of nearby Austwell,
Texas. Tivoli was the name of Austin's ranch.
("It was, in fact,
Captain Newton Cannon Gullett who founded Tivoli, Texas on his ranch of the same
name." - Randy Neumann.
Please see complete
letter below.)
The town was first platted in 1907 and a post office
was granted in 1912. The St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway was extended
through Tivoli (to the terminus at Austwell) that same year. The Lieuen Rogers
Masonic lodge was chartered in 1914.
The town was re-platted in 1913 -
doubling the size of the town from five blocks to ten. Austin donated the town's
first church and school. Hurricanes hit Tivoli in 1919 and 1942, but the shallow
bay, high bluffs and slight population spared the community from obiteration.
The town reached its population zenith in 1928 with a population of 700. |
| | An
old tractor near Tivoli
Photo by John Troesser, May 2003 |
Tivoli
Texas Forum Tivoli,
Texas Town Founder I
recently read, with pleasure, your brief history of the town of Tivoli, Texas.
While your story is technically accurate, it lists Preston Rose Austin as the
founder of Tivoli. Actually, Preston R. Austin platted the town of Tivoli which
had been in existence and actually serviced by a U.S. Post Office since the 1890's.
A telegraph station was actually in place (the first in Refugio County) at about
that same time.
It was, in fact, Captain Newton Cannon Gullett
who founded Tivoli, Texas on his ranch of the same name. Gullett erected a cotton
gin, store and a boat landing on the Guadalupe River to export cotton and receive
supplies. He was instrumental in bringing the railroads into that section of Texas,
establishing the Gulf Coast Fair Association, and is reputed to be the first person
to use wire fencing in Texas to close the open ranges. He was a familiar face
in Washington D.C. and a pioneer member of several cattlemen's organizations.
In deference to history, please preface your story of Tivoli, Texas with
a mention of its actual founder, a colorful character, indeed! - Randy Neumann,
May 03, 2006
Subject:
Tivoli-Barber Family
Dear TE, My name is Robert Barber of San Antonio, TX. I have many family members
buried in Tivoli cemetery, an aunt whom still resides there, and an uncle in Austwell,
TX. Also, we have a road named after us on the outskirts of town where my great
uncle had his ranch which is still in his daughters possession. My question to
you is what history do you have on my family whith regards to Tivoli? I know from
listening to older family members about how much my ancestors had to do with the
founding of the town and operations of daily business and the cattle industry.
Any info would be dearly appreciated. My father is Amos R. Barber (b.1942, Refugio,
TX), his uncle was Dick Barber (b.1899-1987?). Thank You. Robert F. Barber,
San Antonio, Texas, October 21, 2006
Anyone wishing to share memories,
stories or photos of Tivoli, Texas - please contact
us.
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