Introduction to Lee County Texas
The County Seat is the City of Giddings. The county was organized in 1874 and named for Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), best known as a commander of the Confederate States Army, specifically, commanding general of the Army of Northern Virginia, 1862-1865.
A meeting was held in the area resulting in resolution. Texans from several counties called for a new county to be named in honor of Robert E. Lee. The Texas Legislature passed the bill in 1874. The new county was created using portions of Burleson, Washington, Bastrop, and Fayette counties.
Pictures of the older County Courthouses
The first Lee County Courthouse Burned down in 1897. No pictures located to date.
Pictures of the Lee County Texas Courthouse of 1898 (Current)
The 1898 Courthouse is the second for Lee County. Here are our pictures of a wonderfully restored work of art.
Other Lee County Attractions
There are things to see throughout Lee County. Our travels, to date, have been limited to the towns along US Highway 77. We will visit other towns in the county as time permits.
- Lee County Centennial Marker – LEE COUNTY Located on Old San Antonio Road, on land surveyed in 1821 as part of the original colony of Moses and Stephen F. Austin. In 1854 became site of major settlement by Wend from northern Europe, led by Pastor Johann Kilian. Had only school in U. S. that taught in Wendish– language surviving only here and in Australia, in the modern world. County was created from Bastrop, Burleson, Fayette and Washington. Organized in 1874, it was named for Robert E. Lee (1807-1870), general of the Army of Northern Virginia, in the southern Confederacy, 1862-1865. Giddings is the county seat.
- Railroad Passenger Depot
- Railroad Freight Depot
- Old Magnolia Gas Station in Giddings
Our List of additional attractions to see
- Historic Lee County Jail 444 S Main in Giddings
- Lee County Justice Center Giddings
- Union Station Transportation Museum in Giddings
- First Presbyterian Church – One of the painted churches 192 S Grimes St, Giddings
- Schubert-Fletcher Home 173 E Hempstead St, Giddings
- 1915 CW Parker Carousel in Giddings.
- The Arnold Smith Collection (Arrowheds/Pottery) at Giddings Public Library
- Hilton Lee Smith Baseball Memorabilia Collection at Giddings Public Library
- Giddings Post Office Depression Era Mural
- Veteran’s Park in Giddings Hwy 290 at Montgomery St.
- Through Truss Bridge at Dime Box Park in Dime Box
- Dime Box Heritage Museum in Dime Box CR 141
- Massive old Live Oak marking the lost town of Evergreen east side of Farm Road 1624, about 8 miles north of Giddings near Rocking J Farm Services LLC 30°16’12.5″N 96°57’15.1″W
- Texas Wendish Heritage Museum CR 212 near Serbin
- Wendish pioneer log cabin and St. Paul Lutheran Church/grounds
CR 212 near Serbin - Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway
- Lexington Log Cabins Lexington Texas 524 Fourth St
- El Camino Real – Old San Antonio Road Marker – TX-21 Just west of Lincoln at West Yagua Creek. 6 Total in the county.
- El Camino Real De Los Tejas Trail (National Park Service)
If anyone knows of anything else … please leave us a comment! We’d love to see it, next time we go out!!
Links
Lee County Website
Texas State Historical Association
Wikipedia Article
El Camino Real De Los Tejas Trail