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Co. G, 16th Illinois Cavalry from 1863-1865. Enlisted as private in Springfield after crossing Confederate lines by walking, stagecoach and steamboat. Like many Texas Germans, he felt the US should be kept together.
Erected 1876 with iron shutters, elevator, and 25 inch thick walls. Housed general mercantile store begun by pioneer Caesar Eckhardt family in 1848, soon after the founding of Yorktown.
Created March 24, 1846 from Gonzales, Victoria and Goliad counties; Organized July 13, 1846, with Cuero as the county seat Named in honor of Green De Witt A Texas Empresario Born in Kentucky September 16, 1797.
A Huey UH-B helicopter sits on top of a white rock base, featuring a black granite cross honoring the 58,479 Men and Women of the US Armed Forces who did not return from the Vietnam War.
o. G, 16th Illinois Cavalry from Apr. 1, 1863 to Aug. 15, 1865. Enlisted as private in Springfield, Ill., after crossing confederate lines by walking, stagecoach & steamboat. Like many Texas Germans, he felt U.S. should be kept together.
Erected 1876. Had iron shutters, elevator, walls 25 inches thick. Housed general mercantile store begun by pioneer Caesar Eckhardt family in 1848, soon after founding of Yorktown. Wagons brought in goods from seaport of Indianola.
Created March 24, 1846 from Gonzales, Victoria and Goliad counties; Organized July 13, 1846, with Cuero as the county seat Named in honor of Green De Witt A Texas Empresario Born in Kentucky September 16, 1797.
Among the many European immigrants arriving in Texas in the mid-19th century was a small group of Lithuanians settled near Yorktown in DeWitt County. Records show the first Lithuanian family to settle in this area was likely David and Dora (Scholze) Stanchos.
The small farming community of Shiloh began about 1847 with settlement by the McBride, Hamilton, McFarland, Odom, Anderson, and Woods families. In 1851 John Keith Rankin helped organize a Methodist Episcopal Church, whose members erected a building in 1852.
Yorktown Texas was established as a small town in the spring of 1848 by Charles Eckhardt and Captain John York. The two gentlemen announced that ten acres would be deeded to the first ten settlers of this new town.
Yorktown Memorial Hospital opened in 1951, at a cost of approximately $500,000. It was operated by the Felician Sisters, an order of Catholic nuns. The hospital closed in 1986, and reopened as a drug and alcohol rehab center, which closed in the 1990s.
Hours:
Friday (except holidays) 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday (except holidays) 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday (except holidays) 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. For researchers: Albums which have been indexed are available in the museum. Many contain very early pictures of Yorktown.
The DeWitt County Historical Museum, housed in the historic Bates-Sheppard Home, is a glimpse into the area’s rich past, featuring salvaged materials from the 1886 Indianola hurricane and a two-room log cabin. Explore DeWitt County history and Old Indianola through this site.
The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, housed in Cuero’s historic Knights of Pythias Hall, honors South Central Texas’s role in Texas cowboy and Longhorn legends. It features permanent exhibits and a restored event space, blending history, culture, and community gathering.
The Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas, founded by Joe and Wanda Reuss, preserves Cuero’s pharmacy and medical history. In a restored 1889 building, it features original cabinets and late-1800s displays, highlighting the evolution of early drugstores.
Hours:
Located at 215 Broadway in Nordheim, this museum highlights local heritage, the famous May Feast, and rich German traditions. Be sure to check their Facebook page for the most current hours.
Family-friendly park with a playground, restrooms, and tennis court, plus picnic areas.
N Eckhardt Street, Yorktown, Texas 78164
Since 1983, Shaddai Ranch provided a peaceful Christian retreat for spiritual renewal, where guests can grow closer to Jesus and recharge their faith.
Native Americans, Spanish explorers, missionaries, Texian soldiers, and settlers once walked the land now known as Goliad State Park and Historic Site in southeast Texas.
Family-friendly farm with an 8-acre corn maze, slides, farm animals, hayrides, a petting zoo, and other activities. They also sell raw milk, cream, yogurt, and more.
FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL! We have Food & Craft Booths, a Parade, a Cook Off, COLD BREW, LIVE Texas Country MUSIC, Street Dance, Carnival, Interactive demonstrations/shows, Raffle, Kids Events/Contest, Tractor Pull, Pig Scramble, and much more! Always the THIRD FULL WEEKEND IN OCTOBER!
Yorktown Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering a thriving business environment, connecting local organizations, and promoting the growth and prosperity of our vibrant community.
