Navasota
The renowned French explorer-navigator LaSalle (full name: René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle) during the era of exploration made several expeditions to map the Mississippi River. Tragedy struck on his fifth expedition when they crashed in the vicinity of what is now called Matagorda Bay. LaSalle led the group inland close to modern-day Navasota. Five men in his group rebelled, first by murdering LaSalle’s nephew, next they ambushed and murdered LaSalle. The mutineers left his body to the wild animals. The great explorer’s life cut short at age 43. LaSalle claimed for France and King Louis XIV large areas on both sides of the Mississippi River. The original name of the land claim was “La Louisiane” in honor of King Louis. When President Thomas Jefferson obtained the 1803 purchase of France’s Louisiana Territory. The area of Navasota and Grimes County was impacted by LaSalle’s explorations but were not part of the Louisiana purchase, as Spain had claimed the area by then.
Massive New World land holdings shifted between the European crowns of The Netherlands, Spain, England, France, Russia, and Portugal from about 1690 through 1790. Obviously in what is now Texas, Spain was the winner. But the colonies of New Spain were unhappy with treatment under Spanish rule so in 1824 independence came to Mexico. Sadly, a dictator arose in Santa Anna as he abandoned the federal constitution of Mexico to grab power by centralized rule. Events culminated in April, 1836 as a band of rag-tag Texas farmers and merchants led by General Sam Houston won a surprise victory at San Jacinto.
Around that time era a pioneer named Francis Holland in 1822 bought land in Grimes County on a bend of the Navasota River. Current day Navasota was first named Hollandale. The town grew as more homesteaders, pioneers, and town-dwellers arrived. Among those arrivals were Daniel Tyler and Daniel Arnold who also obtained land grants on the Navasota River. (Rivers were the best transportation in those days.) Grimes County was carved out of Montgomery County in 1846, including the Navasota townsite. Some names of pioneer families: Jesse Grimes (namesake of Grimes County and he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence), Caleb Wallace, James Whiteside, Anthony Kennard, Isaac Jackson, Jared E. Groce, and Francis Holland.
Next, a pioneer had left Mississippi to seek his future in Texas. He obtained some prime land adjacent to Hollandale. After a Post Office was set up in 1854, and the town name changed from Hollandale to Navasota, James Nolan built the first stagecoach stop in the area in 1855. He deeded stage stop land to the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, which built its line to Navasota. Business and passenger traffic helped the area grow. Navasota became an important shipping point for livestock, timber, farm products, and other goods from the area.
The Navasota River meanders have highly productive soil and abundant farming to support large herds of hogs, sheep, cattle, and corn and cotton that were important cash crops. Grimes County hosted six prosperous towns in the 1850’s: Prairie Plains, Retreat, Grimesville, Bedias, Anderson, and Navasota. Kellum Springs and Piedmont Springs were both homes to spas. An early industry was lumber harvesting.
Post-Civil War recovery was slow. Two epidemics caused much grief in Navasota, a Cholera outbreak followed by a Yellow Fever epidemic. Rebuilding finally began when the epidemics ran their course. Southeastern states of Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama contributed waves of Americans seeking new horizons in Texas. Homesteaders and craftsmen from Poland and Germany continued to arrive. Around 1880, Navasota had several steam-powered cotton gins, two flour mills, a cottonseed mill,
an opera house, a bank, and five churches. A second railroad line and a telephone company arrived in 1885, and around the same time a water system and electric lighting were built. The 1896 population totaled about 3,500. In 1900 the International and Great Northern Railway was a big boost to the town as a third railroad giving a line to Fort Worth. The 1930’s paving projects of major roads and highways, including State Highway 6, obviously helped mobility and the town.
Arrival post-WWI saw migrant workers from Mexico. Many area residents moved away to find jobs due to farm mechanization reducing the need for farm labor. Resourceful area farmers diversified their produce during the 1930’s Depression-era and 1940’s war-years. Improved farming techniques and new types of crops were introduced with improved farm practices. Grimes County population dropped by over 31% as people left to seek jobs, often in Houston. As time wore on, those new crops and renewed farms deliver soybeans, sweet potatoes, potatoes, Christmas Trees, pecans, watermelons, small grains, sorghum, all by the 1970’s. To aid the crops, since the 1980’s beekeeping on a commercial scale has thrived.
Local leaders organized the Navasota Industrial Foundation in 1952 that succeeded in generating opportunity in the industrial sector. Also in 1952, Oil and Natural Gas discoveries began, with much larger oil fields discovered in the 1970’s that continued and oil rush into the 1980’s. From 1967 to 1982 Navasota also gained oilfield machinery, mobile home, steel tubing, cheese, and furniture businesses.
Navasota leaders in 1980 initiated downtown renewal, gaining national designation as an historic Main Street, as sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Main Street program. New construction plus renovation on adjacent Railroad Street has added space useful for shops, offices, restaurants, and a variety of enterprises. Current and future growth is well cared for by local leadership working from an impressive new city hall.
Navasota is a desirable place for families to make their homes. Housing is reasonably priced, and the town has a spacious feel and is surrounded by some of Texas’ most beautiful countryside. For those times one wants to sample big-city offerings, the Houston metro area is a short drive away. Economic growth across Grimes County and neighboring counties supports plentiful careers and jobs and provides a great place to establish a new business.
Navasota’s many parks and recreation facilities are enjoyed year-round by local families. Features include a beautiful city pool, picnicking areas, and playground equipment, all carefully maintained by Navasota City Parks & Recreation. Several youth sports leagues are available year-round, and the Navasota Swim Team hosts meets at the city pool. Families enjoy several local festivals all year round. Dining and entertainment have many options of restaurants, and the Navasota heritage of live music in blues and live performance. The Grimes St. Joseph Health Center Hospital is one of many quality clinics that furnish abundant health care. Thanks to long-term community-wide support the public school district provides quality education for all. Navasota is a great place for families and businesses to find a place to prosper!