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Waelder Historical Markers
The Site of Hopkinsville
Marker location: FM 196 - 5 miles north of Waelder
Once a thriving pioneer community. Founded by D.S. Hopkins (1819-1917), a farmer who settled here in 1852. Located in farm-ranch area, herds started here, bound for the Chisholm Trail. Abandoned in 1873 when the citizens moved south and founded the town of Waelder on the newly built railroad.
The Town of Waelder
Marker location: Junction of SH 97 and US 90 - Waelder, Texas
In 1875 and 1876, when the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad built through Gonzales County, this town was laid out to serve as a shipping point for the surrounding agricultural and ranching area. Hopkinsville, a thriving community five miles north, moved here to become the nucleus of Waelder.
Because of valuable services rendered to railroad interests in the early days, the G., H. & S.A. named the new town for the company attorney, Frederick Jacob Waelder (1820-1887).
Born in Germany, Waelder spent most of his life in Texas, where he was a lawyer, representative in the state legislature (1855-1859), and briefly an officer in the Confederate Army. He was also a leader of the German-Texas colonists in numerous undertakings.
The town of Waelder, which grew to be the second largest in the county by 1900, can trace the history of its populace back to the three waves of German immigrants who settled in Texas from 1831 to 1900.
Highly regarded by their neighbors, German citizens were considered frugal and industrious. Joining with Latin-Americans and Old South Anglo-Americans, the two other largest ethnic groups in Texas, they have left a distinct mark on the culture of the state.
Miller's Store
Marker location: Highway 90 West - Waelder, Texas
Erected 1900-1901 by R.L. Miller and Sons, it is now owned by the 4th generation of the family. The first store was established in 1866. The unique bannister features wooden balls carved by the contractor, Cap Smith. Bullet holes in the awning testify to the rowdy early era.
Hopkinsville Lodge No. 183, A.F. & A.M.
Marker location: North Main & Northeast First - Waelder, Texas
After migrating from his native Georgia, Dennis Sheffield Hopkins (1819-1917) founded the community of Hopkinsville (5 miles northwest) in 1852. He helped organize this Masonic Lodge there in 1855. The thriving village also had a grist mill, gin, several businesses, churches and a school. When the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad bypassed Hopkinsville during the 1870's, most residents moved to Waelder. The lodge relocated and built this meeting hall in 1882. Churches, schools and civic groups have shared use of the structure.
Leander C. Cunningham
Marker location: FM 1296 (Community Cemetery) - Waelder, Texas
A San Jacinto veteran born in Tennessee, July 10, 1810. Died December 24, 1896. His wife Ann S. Cunningham born in Kentucky November 13, 1808, died June 19, 1895.
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