United States / Yorktown, TX

Holy Cross Catholic Church. Holy Cross Catholic Church This church was established by Polish families who first came to Texas in the 1850s and settled in Panna Maria, then migrated to this area. A group of Polish Catholics split from the primarily German Catholic Church in Meyersville and joined the Catholic Church in Yorktown. By 1867, there were 13 Polish households as members of the Yorktown congregation, and the time had come to build a new church facility. In 1867, Anton and Lucyia Koszielsky deeded land at this site to the church, and the building that was constructed was dedicated to St. Mary. After it burned in 1915, the parish hired architect F. B. Gaenslen to design their new building. Completed in 1916, the building utilized the cross from the steeple on the former church and thus came to be called Holy Cross. Construction work was overseen by Falbo Contractors of San Antonio, with much of the labor supplied by parishioners. Gaenslen's design for a simplified Romanesque style church was carried out in red brick, with polychrome brick detailing on the tower. Its Romanesque features are evident in its tower, semi-circular arched windows and corbelled parapet. Since 1916, Holy Cross Catholic Church has served Catholics in Yorktown and the surrounding area. The building stands as an architectural landmark in the region, as it houses the parish's ongoing ministries of worship, education and outreach. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2001 #12794

1214 Zorn Rd., Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #12718

Upper Yorktown Cemetery. Upper Yorktown Cemetery In 1872, Ann Friar (1802-1899) formally established Upper Yorktown (Friar) Cemetery, where her husband, rancher-businessman Daniel Boone Friar (1800-1858), local masons and others were interred. In 1949, Barbara Respondek (1882-1949) donated one acre to the east for African-American residents, adding to its diverse Anglo, German and Hispanic origins. Noted burials include: Friar family members; 1876 feud victims Dr. Philip Brassell (b. 1827) and son, George (b.1855); settlers Gotlieb (1790-1867) and Marie (1790-1869) Heissig; Union sailor Timothy Sullivan (1836-1909); and numerous war veterans and local pioneers. Historic Texas Cemetery-2001 #12718

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #05928

Yorktown. Founded 1848 as way station on old Indianola Trail. Chartered August 2, 1854. Incorporated 1871. San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad reached here 1886. Town's first school organized 1853. Prospered as center of farming and ranching; later, of oil and gas. Pioneer strains are German, American, Pole, Czech, Spaniard, Mexican, Negro. #5928

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #04932

Site of the Home of Robert Justus Kleberg. who came to Texas in 1834. Fought at San Jacinto in Captain Moseley Baker's Company. Senator in the State Legislature. Born in Herstelle, Germany, September 10, 1803. Died at Yorktown, Texas, October 23, 1888. A Texas county was named in his honor. #4932

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #01378

Eckhardt Ranch House. Robert Christian Eckhardt (1836-87) came from Germany at 13 to join an uncle, Yorktown's co-founder. A merchant and father of 11 sons and daughters, he built this house in 1879, afterward commuting to his store. Eckhardt and his wife Caroline Kleberg (1840-1913) became the ancestors of a U.S. Congressman, authors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other leaders. The ranch home has been continuously owned by family members -- since 1947 by a grandson, Dr. Kleberg Eckhardt. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1975 #1378

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #01189

De Witt County. Created March 24, 1846 from Gonzales, Victoria and Goliad counties; organized July 13, 1846, with Cameron as the county seat. Named in honor of Green De Witt, a Texas Empresario born in Kentucky February 12, 1787. Died in Mexico, May 18, 1835. #1189

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #00924

Co-Founders of Yorktown: John York, Charles Eckhardt. John York (1800 - 1848) -- Charles Eckhardt (1813 - 1852) Soldiers and builders of Texas. York, born in Kentucky, came to Texas in 1821; was a captain in siege which expelled Mexican Army from Bexar, 1835. Gave site for Yorktown, 1847. Died in an Indian fight won by his men. Eckhardt came from Germany. Fought in war for Independence and Mexican war. His mercantile and freighting interests led to founding of Yorktown on trail he had surveyed from Indianola to New Braunfels. He built the first house in Yorktown, 1848. #924

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #00723

Site of the Home of Captain John York. A member of one of Austin's ranging companies at San Felipe in 1829. Commanded A Company at the capture of San Antonio in 1835. Yorktown, named in his honor was laid out in 1848 on his land. Born July 4, 1800. Killed by Indians, October 11, 1848. #723

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #00593

C. Eckhardt and Sons Building. Erected 1876. Had iron shutters, elevator, walls 25 inches thick. Housed general mercantile store begun by pioneer Caesar Eckhardt family in 1848, soon after founding of Yorktown. Wagons brought in goods from seaport of Indianola. Gold and silver hidden under potatoes were sent to San Antonio to purchase other supplies. During the Civil War, wife ran the business while the husband and two sons served the south. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 #593

?, Yorktown, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #00089

Adolph Strieber. Co. G, 16th Illinois Cavalry from April 1, 1863 to August 15, 1865. Enlisted as private in Springfield, Ill., after crossing Confederate lines by walking, stagecoach and steamboat. Like many Texas Germans, he felt U.S. should be kept together. Born in Zellerfield, Germany. Came to Texas via Old Indianola with parents in 1846. Married Marie Wagenschien 1866. Pioneer merchant. Prominent citizen. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964 #89

?, Yorktown, TX, United States