Karnes City

The plaque ends with the county seat won; the town that grew up around it kept its children apart for decades. Karnes City opened a school for Black students in 1902 and one for Mexican American students in 1910, and the Handbook of Texas dates integration to the 1940s. In 1922 Mexican American residents organized the Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juárez No. 1, chartered in 1925. A 1958 merger with the Fashing district more than doubled the school tax base. The Town and Country Days fair and parade began in 1965.

What the plaque says

Karnes City Seat of Karnes County; was founded in Christmas season, 1890, when a partnership headed by Otto Buchel bought 1,000 acres of land from J. L. Calvert for $5 an acre. The tract was near the geographic center of the county and adjoined the right-of-way of the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad. The young town was first named Karnes in honor of Henry W. Karnes (1812-1840), Texas Ranger hero. Although a small, mild-mannered man, Karnes was conspicuous for his cool courage in battle. Red-headed, he was once beseiged by a group of Comanche women who attempted to wash the "berry juice" out of his hair. When the first Karnes post office was established April 1, 1891, "City" was added to the name. The new town grew so fast that within three years citizens petitioned for an election to remove the county seat from Helena to Karnes City. The voters favored Karnes City two-to-one and the move was made January, 1894. Having grown steadily since 1891, Karnes City has had seven newspapers, four banks, and many businesses. During the railroad boom, when a train was the most exciting way to travel, six passenger trains per day came through town. The economy of the area has been based on ranching, farming, uranium, oil, and gas. (1967)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Panna Maria — 5.0 mi
  The Silesian village on a plateau above the San Antonio River that claims the oldest permanent Polish settlement in America, with a church of 1878 and a ceiling found again in 2000.

More markers nearby

• First Baptist Church of Karnes City — steps away
• Karnes County — steps away
• Town of Panna Maria — 5.0 mi
• Kenedy — 5.4 mi