The history of Lockhart Texas can be traced back to the early 1800s. Bryd Lockhart came to what was eventually to become Caldwell County during that time, as an assistant surveyor to Green DeWitt.

Lockhart invested his own funds into building the roads in the area and then asked for land near Plum Creek in payment. He set up a farm on that land and opened the area up for other settlers to come. That is how the history of Lockhart texas began.

The area was initially a part of Gonzales County, however, settlers opted to make their own county in 1848, because they were so far from the county seat. They expanded the county and developed it, although a severe drought just before the civil war held back some growth. Crops were no longer viable, but the land was good enough for cattle to graze and it was later discovered that the soil worked well for cotton too, and the growers found a hardy variant of the plant, so cotton growing became a major industry.

In the 1920s, there was a boom thanks to the discovery of oil fields and to this day shallow field exploration still happens in the county.

Lockhart, like so many other parts of America, owes a lot to the development of the railroad, and to automobiles. The growth of transport and the increased connections to other towns and cities meant that trade was an option and that more settlers could come from other areas.

Today, Lockhart is a unique small town that is beautifully preserved, and that has a wealth of antique stores, and a friendly feel that combines modern amenities with that old-school feel. It’s a great place to visit as a part of a road trip and you will meet some wonderful, friendly people.