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WESTHOFF, TEXAS

DeWitt County, Central Texas South

29° 11' 42" N, 97° 28' 16" W 29.195, -97.471111

Highway 87
near Gonzales County line
14 miles NW of Cuero the county seat
S of Gonzales
Zip Code 77994
Population: 410 est. (2010, 2000)

Westoff Area Hotels, Book Here › Gonzales Hotels

Westhoff TX  - First Baptist Church
Westhoff First Baptist Church
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

History in a Pecan Shell

In 1906 as the railroad extended from Cuero to Stockdale, a town was plated and a depot built. The town was originally named Bello. But when a post office was applied for, the name was rejected by authorities for the similarity to Bells, Texas (Grayson County).

In 1909, the town was renamed Westhoff, to honor William Westhoff, Sr.

Westhoff throve. 4,800 bales of cotton were ginned at Westhoff's three gins each year. In 1913 a devastating fire destroyed much of downtown and by 1915 the population was a healthy 475. The 1908 school expanded in 1928 and in 1961 was one of the county's three remaining rural school districts. From the 20s to the 50s, Westhoff had 500 residents before it started its decline to the present 410.

Westhoff TX Historical Marker
Westhoff Historical Marker
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009
More Texas Towns | Texas History


Westoff, Texas
Landmarks / Photo Gallery


Westhoff TX Church
Westhoff Church
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Westhoff, Texas
Westhoff St. Aloysius Catholic Church
Photo Courtesy Jim and Lou Kinsey, April 2005

St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Westhoff, Texas
Another view of the Catholic Church
Photo Courtesy Jim and Lou Kinsey, April 2005

Westhoff, TX - St. John Lutheran Church
St. John Lutheran Church
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Westhoff, TX - St. John Lutheran Church One Hundredth Anniversay
St. John Lutheran Church
One Hundredth Anniversay
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009
More Texas Churches

Westhoff TX Old Schoolhouse
Westhoff Old Schoolhouse?
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009
More Texas Schoolhouses

Westhoff, Texas Post office
Westhoff Post Office, TX 77994
Photo Courtesy Jim and Lou Kinsey, April 2005
More Texas Post Offices


Westhoff TX Arrow Feeds Store
Westhoff's old feeds store
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Westhoff TX Street Scene
Westhoff street scene
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009
More Texas Gas Stations

Westhoff TX old store
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009
More Texas Stores

Westhoff TX - American Legion Hall
American Legion Hall
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009


Historical Marker: SE of town at intersection of US 87 and Church Road (Lord Cemetery Road)

George Lord

George Lord was born in Essex County, England on April 21, 1816 to Felstead and Anna Siggs Lord. He immigrated to Canada in 1834 and worked there for two years. He then moved to New Orleans and joined other volunteers under a Capt. Lyons to serve in the military of the young Republic of Texas. They arrived in Galveston in 1837.

As part of the Texan Army, Lord participated in a number of operations, including suppression of the Córdova Rebellion (1838) and the fight against Manuel Flores (1839). He also fought in Mexico with the Federalists before returning to Texas. He joined the Somervell Expedition to expel forces of Gen. Adrián Woll from the Republic, fighting at the Battle of Salado Creek (1842) with many notable Texas figures like John C. "Jack" Hays and William "Bigfoot" Wallace. Lord was among those who then followed Col. William Fisher into Mexico. Fisher's men were captured after fighting at Mier, and as part of the infamous "Black Bean Incident," ten percent were executed while the others remained imprisoned. Lord was not selected for execution; he survived the harsh conditions at Mexico's Perote Prison, returned to Texas and fought in the Mexican War as a Ranger.

In 1849, Lord accompanied Jack Hays and others to California during the Gold Rush. Along the way, he wed Catherine "Kate" Myers (1832-1909) in Eagle Pass, Texas. The couple spent three years mining for gold; Kate sold pies to other miners while her husband collected gold dust. They returned to Texas with $7,000 worth of gold and settled near this site in DeWitt County, where they established a Longhorn cattle ranch and reared 11 children. Lord died while working in his garden in 1895. Today, he is remembered as a Texas patriot.
(2004)

George Lord Historical Marker -  Westhoff TX
George Lord Historical Marker
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009
See People | Texas History



Featured Trip:

Cuero and DeWitt County


Take a road trip

Central Texas South

Westoff, Texas Nearby Towns:
Cuero the county seat
Yoakum
Gonzales
See DeWitt County

Book Hotel Here:
Gonzales Hotels | More Hotels

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