Lee County is in this month's Country World spotlight

From staff Reports

Youth of Lee County show their animals at the Lee County Junior Livestock Show held annually in March. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

Oct. 14, 2004 - Lee County is located in southeast Central Texas, east of Austin. The largest town and county seat, Giddings, is 60 miles east of Austin. Three basic soil regions make up what is called the Claypan area. The northwest region has light-colored loamy or sandy soils which lie over mottled or reddish clayey or loamy subsoils; the central strip consists of light-colored loams which overlie gray to black clayey soils and deep reddish-brown, clayey subsoils; and the remainder has light-colored soils with sandy surfaces and mottled, clayey subsoils.

Oak, pecan, elm and mesquite trees grow in the Blackland Prairies region while post oak, blackjack oak and tall grasses abound in the Post Oak Savannah vegetation region.

Three branches of the Yegua Creek drain the county - East Yegua, Middle Yegua and West Yegua - along with their tributaries, including Allen, Brushy, Pin Oak, Bluff and Elm creeks. The Knobbs, Rabbs and Nails creeks drain the southern third of the county.

Other towns include Dime Box, Lexington, Lincoln, Serbin, Fedor, Hills, Leo, Loebau, Northrup, Manheim, Tangelwood and The Knobbs.

Agriculture in early years:

In the 1850s, a small amount of acreage was devoted to cotton production. The two major cash crops were wheat and corn and cattle ranching was widespread before 1860. With the county seeing a general economic growth by the end of the 19th century, the number of farms increased from 1,095 in 1880 to 1,699 in 1890 to 2,266 in 1900. Total acreage grew to more than 300,000 in 1900, bringing a total value up from $947,405 in 1880 to $2,305,450. Substantial land was dedicated to corn, oats and other grains production, however, cotton ranked first in total acreage. Cotton was grown on 31,561 acres in 1890 and by the 1920s more than half of all cropland was used for the production of cotton. Ten years later, during the peak period of the cotton boom, 57,446 acres was devoted to the crop. A combination of over production, soil depletion, the boll weevil and the effects of the Great Depression took a toll on King Cotton, however, by the late 1920s. By 1940 corn replaced cotton as the leading cash crop.

Cropland in the county decreased steadily after World War II, and only 31,715 acres was harvested in 1969. By 1989, roughly 16 percent of the county's farmland was in production. The leading cash crops became hay, peanuts, oats, corn, wheat and sorghum.

With the decline of cash crops, cattle ranching, along with swine raising and poultry production became an increasingly important part of the county's agricultural economy. In 1969 ranchers in the county owned a record 58,774 cattle and 19,775 swine. By the early 1980s, livestock and livestock products made up 92 percent of the county's agricultural receipts.

Source: The Handbook of Texas Online

Agriculture today:

Although urbanization from Austin has moved into the county, agricultural production still plays a major role in the economy of Lee County. Last year crops and livestock brought in an estimated $65 million and is projected to total $69 million this year.

According to Billy Gillum, Lee County Extension agent, livestock and hay production are the major agricultural commodities bringing in an estimated 50.3 million and 9 million, respectively, last year. There are approximately 60,000 beef cows and all cattle numbers were estimated at 97,000 in 2003. The county ranks ninth in the state for beef cows.

In 2004, crops - mainly corn, grain sorghum and soybeans - were grown on an average of 2,000 acres. Peanuts, which in 1999 were grown on more than 3,000 acres, have decreased to only 200 acres planted this year. Income from peanuts is projected to bring in $120,000 - down from $216,000 last year.

Through the years more and more crop land has been turned to improved pastures for beef cattle and some sheep and goat production for meat, and a few farmers have diverted to growing horticulture crops such as watermelons, berries, grapes, vegetables and fruits.

Horse production is also a large income for several ranchers in the area, both racing and ranch-working horses.

Over the last eight years the county has seen an emphasis on wildlife managment, mainly for deer. The Lee County Wildlife Association currently has 480 members and is growing steadily.

Annual Events:

March: third week - Lee County Jr. Livestock Show, Giddings; second weekend - API Rodeo Finals, Sheriff Posse Rodeo Arena, Giddings.

May: first full weekend - Lexington Homecoming, Lexington; third weekend - Lee County Fair and Rodeo, Giddings; last Sunday - Serbin Picnic.

September: last Sunday - Wendish Fest, Serbin.

October: first Saturday - Dime Box Homecoming and Mini Marathon, Dime Box.

Attractions:

Lee County Courthouse, U.S. Hwy. 77 South, Giddings.

Lee County Historical Museum, 190 E. Industry, Giddings.

Wendish Community and Museum, FM 2239, Serbin.

Old Evergreen Tree, between intersection of Hwy. 21 and 1624 in Lincoln on north side of road. Called "The most historic tree now living in all Texas."

Pioneer Village Museum, north of City Square, Lexington.

Stuermer Store, Ledbetter. Store founded in 1870 when the trains started coming through.

Hobby Horse Carousels, located in Airline Park, Hwy. 290 West, Giddings. Giddings has one of the only 10 original hobby horse carousels left in the world. Horses date back to the early 1900's.

Nails Creek Park on Lake Somerville. Camping, fishing, hiking, boating available.

(For more information on events and attractions contact the Giddings Chamber of Commerce at (979)542-3455, www.giddingstx.com.)