Preston Rose Austin (November 11, 1872-September 29, 1929)
Austwell, Refugio County, Texas
Marker Inscription
A far-sighted businessman who contributed much to the development of South Texas, Preston Rose Austin was born in Harrison County and grew up in Victoria County. After achieving prominence as a stock raiser, Austin became a partner in the Refugio Land and Irrigation Company, which acquired large landholdings in this area in 1902. Austin conducted a series of agricultural experiments and determined that the land was best suited to raising cotton. The company divided the property into small cotton farms for sale to German and Bohemian farmers. Austin then founded two market towns to serve the settlers. The townsite of Tivoli was platted in 1907 by J.W. Ward. Austwell, named for Austin and one of his partners, Jesse McDowell of Pennsylvania, was platted in 1912 by L.A. Gueringer. The company provided each community with a church, school, store, hotel, and cotton gin and mill, as well as modern conveniences such as electricity and a telephone system. Austin and his associates also financed a branch line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which connected Tivoli and Austwell with Victoria when it was completed in 1912. Austin's energetic ventures resulted in extensive settlement of northern Refugio County.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
A stock raiser turned developer, Preston Rose Austin joined the Refugio Land and Irrigation Company in 1902, ran agricultural experiments, and concluded the region was best suited to cotton. The company carved its landholdings into small farms sold to German and Bohemian settlers and founded the towns of Tivoli and Austwell—each equipped with church, school, store, and cotton gin—while financing a Missouri Pacific branch line that reached them by 1912.
Why it matters
Austin's ventures show how early-twentieth-century land companies engineered entire communities, drawing immigrant farmers and railroads to remake the South Texas coast.
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Related people
- · Preston Rose Austin
- · Jesse McDowell
- · J. W. Ward
- · L. A. Gueringer
Themes & tags
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