*LA GRANGE - The best little city of Texas!

Welcome to La Grange, TX!

Founded near a Colorado River crossing used by Indians and Spanish explorers, the City of La Grange’s development resonates with themes predominant across Texas history.

The earliest residents (evidence dates them back to 1527) were Tonkawa and Comanche Indians who pursued the great herds of buffalo. White settlers began moving into the area began as early as the 1820s, fueled by cheap land grants given by Stephen F. Austin. Indian raids continued until the 1840s.

In 1826, a twin blockhouse called Moore's Fort was built within what is now the city limits. By 1831, a small community had developed and in 1837, a town was platted. When the Congress of the Republic of Texas established Fayette County the same year, La Grange became its seat of government. Fayette County is named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a Revolutionary War hero.

The City of La Grange takes its name from his chateau to which he retired. La Grange-area citizens were instrumental in the fight for Texas independence. In 1838, the Texas Congress passed a bill intended to place the capital of the Republic of Texas on a site contiguous with La Grange; however, it was vetoed by Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas.

The La Grange Post Office was established in 1838. During the 1840s and 1850s German and Czechs immigrants began arriving in Fayette County and set down roots as they settled on farms and set up businesses in town. Their influence resulted in first a county vote against succession. However, economics influenced many citizens to support the Confederacy and the town organized a number of militia companies. Though La Grange was untouched by Civil War fighting, during Reconstruction the town was torn by conflict and disorder. La Grange was occupied by federal troops in 1866 and an agency of the Freedmen's Bureau was established.

During the early years, the economy was based largely on subsistence farming but during the late 1840s and 1850s, a thriving plantation economy emerged with planters bringing in African-American slaves. By 1860, Fayette County had 3,786 slaves.

As immigrants continued to pour into the area, by 1890 approximately 25% of the local population was foreign-born. La Grange boasted two foreign newspapers -- one in Czech and another in German. After Fayette County reached its population peak of approximately 36,000 in 1900, the population steadily declined. Gradually, the economy of the county transitioned from small farms that raised cotton and corn to larger, more mechanized operations that focus on cattle. Another factor contributing to the dwindling population of the county was the prospect of better paying jobs in nearby cities. That served as an enticement to servicemen who were returning after Word War II not to return to the farm.

FOR LOCATION GOOGLE MAP