Historic Palestine

TEXAS TIMELINE
“History is a fabric – a shining damask in which is woven the lives of people.” – Carl Avera
• Around 600 A.D.: Caddo Indians settle in
the area of present-day Palestine and
Anderson County.
• May 22, 1690: Spain establishes its presence
in a mission erected at an Indian village near
present-day Palestine. The caravan includes
several priests, over 100 soldiers, 20 mules,
and gifts.
• 1736: France and Spain claim their boundaries
between the Louisiana territory and
New Spain.
• 1775-1783: The American Revolutionary War
• 1803: The Louisiana Purchase is made by the
United States; present-day Texas remains a
part of New Spain.
• 1804: U.S. President Thomas Jefferson
decides that the boundary of the Louisiana
Purchase extends to the Rio Grande.
• 1810-1821: Mexican War of Independence
from Spain.
• 1821: Mexican government authorizes
Stephen F. Austin to begin colonization of the
Texas territory.
• December 22, 1826: David Burnet authorized
to establish a new colony in East Texas
for three hundred families.
• Around 1834: Martin Lacy buys land for salt
works near Palestine.
• 1835-1836: Texas Revolution to gain independence
from Mexico.
• 1835: Fort Houston, built mainly by settlers
in the area, opens on the public square of the
town of Houston.
• 1836: The stockade at Fort Houston is built
by Texas Rangers.
• March 2, 1836: The Texas Declaration of
Independence is signed.
• April 21, 1836: Texas wins a decisive battle
for its freedom from Mexico at the Battle of
San Jacinto.
• September 5, 1836: The Republic of Texas
chooses its first elected officials.
• September 1836: Texas votes in favor of annexation
to the United States, but the request
is denied.
• 1837: The Republic of Texas is officially
recognized by the United States and several
other countries.
• November 1839: The First Congress of Texas
meets in Austin.
• December 1841: The town of Houston (also
known as Fort Houston) becomes the seat of
justice in the area.
• Around 1843: Citizens of northern Houston
County are granted a “county for judicial
purposes” and it is named Burnett. A
short time later, its organization is deemed
unconstitutional.
• February 18, 1845: The United States
Congress passes a resolution offering statehood
to Texas.
• July 4, 1845: Texas Congress and convention
delegates meet to choose between annexation
to the United States or independence recognized
by Mexico. Annexation is approved.
• December 29, 1845: Texas celebrates its legal
entry into the Union.
• 1846: George Anderson Wright, celebrated
Confederate soldier and political leader, is
the first child born in Anderson County.
• March 24, 1846: The first legislature of
the state of Texas passes an act creating
Anderson County.
• July 13, 1846: Anderson County holds its
first election in Palestine.
• August 1846: The first sale of lots in Palestine
begins and range in price from $50 to $100
around the public square.
• October 15, 1846: Johnston Shelton completes
his survey of the town of Palestine.
• November 1846: The first session of Anderson
County’s District Court is held in Palestine.
• 1846-1848: Mexican War ensues over the
boundaries of westward expansion.
• 1847: The ferry at Magnolia Crossing
receives the first license to operate in
Anderson County.
• February 2, 1848: Mexican War officially
ends with the signing of the Treaty of
Guadalupe Hidalgo. Texas is annexed to the
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