Town of Needville
Needville, Fort Bend County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Had beginning in 1892 when settler August Schendel opened general store, here, on his land. Blacksmith shop, cotton gin, and room for post office had been added by 1894, when Schendel was appointed first postmaster. He suggested naming place "Needmore" because it needed more of everything, but another town already had that name. Slowly village became trade center. First church service was held 1891; school opened by 1897. Early economy, based on stockraising and farming, was altered radically with discovery of oil, natural gas, and sulphur, 1920s-30s.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Needville began in 1892 when settler August Schendel opened a general store on his land, adding a blacksmith shop, cotton gin, and post office by 1894, when he became the first postmaster. He wanted to call it "Needmore" because it needed more of everything, but that name was taken. A farming and ranching village at first, the town was transformed in the 1920s and '30s by the discovery of oil, natural gas, and sulphur.
Why it matters
Needville's story compresses the arc of rural Texas — from a lone frontier store to a farming community remade by the mineral boom.
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Related people
- · August Schendel
Themes & tags
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