Site is on 1835 James Hoggatt grant from Mexico. As late as 1890s, small tracts were homesteaded here. Named for Fox Winnie (1843-1927), a contractor and investor of Newton, Kans., who with L.P. Featherstone in 1895 built Gulf & Interstate Railway through the area. An 1896 storm destroyed G.&I.R. rail bed. The train, caught in Galveston, waited three years to make return run through Winnie to Beaumont.

Winnie Loan & Improvement Company sold acreage and town lots from its offices in Galveston, 1896-1911. Late 1800s economy, based on raising of rice, cattle, fruit, and cotton, suffered from 1895 snow, hurricanes in 1896, 1900, and later, and a severe freeze in 1916.

Pioneer religious worship, held in homes, was led by such settlers as the Rev. T.W. White, a Presbyterian. Churches were built by Baptist, Church of Christ, First Assembly of God, Latter Day Saints, Methodist, and Roman Catholic congregations. The one-room early school evolved into a system with several buildings.

Site of Chambers County sub-courthouse, Winnie benefits from payrolls of petroleum and chemical industries, and rice, beef, and catfish farming. Great annual celebration is the Texas Rice Festival.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment