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History in
a Pecan Shell
Petersburg became the first county seat of LaVaca County in 1846
and the town received its post office two years later. Petersburg
became a crossroads community - being on both the San
Felipe - San Antonio
road and the Columbus
- Victoria
road. In 1848 the population was mere 20 people and a single building
served as county courthouse, school, church, and sheriff's office.
It may not have been quiet - but everyone was well-behaved. Sadly,
this all-purpose edifice burned - requiring a new building. While
this new courthouse was being constructed, business was held al
fresco - with prisoners farmed out in the care of local farmers.
In one of the fiercest county-seat rivalries in Texas history, Hallettsville
was given the crown in an 1852 election. The county archives had
to be taken by force from angry Petersburgers. The matter simmered
for years - and was finally decided in 1860.
The now-empty courthouse became the Nelson Academy, a boarding school
established in the 1850s. The school closed during the Civil War
and Petersburg lost its post office in 1876. Petersburg had only
one building not a residence in 1880.
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