Farmed Early as 1744 by Indians under guidance of Spanish missionaries. In 1830, Ft. Tenoxtitlan, guarding Brazos crossing, San Antonio Road, attracted Anglo-Texans, who lived off wild game in early years.

County created and organized in 1846. Named for Gen. Edward Burleson (1798-1851), veteran of Battle of San Jacinto; Indian fighter; Republic of Texas Vice-President and Senator, later a State Senator. County seat, Caldwell (named for Mathew Caldwell, signer of Declaration of Independence). During the Civil War, furnished troops, cotton and food to Confederate Texas.

A part of DeWitt's Colony, 1825-1836. A part of Gonzales County to 1848. First settlements were on Plum Creek and the San Marcos River. Created March 6, 1848; organized August 7, 1848. Named in honor of Mathew Caldwell, "Old Paint," 1798-1842, soldier-statesman. Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Commander of the Texas Rangers. Lockhart, the county seat.

The first Caldwell County Courthouse was erected on this site in 1848, when the county was organized and named for Mathew Caldwell, a Texas Ranger and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. It was replaced in 1858 by a 2-story limestone edifice, measuring 65 feet by 40 feet, with six offices and two rooms for storing records. By 1893, that building had become too small for a growing county.

In April 1893, Judge George W. Kyser and Commissioners J.H. Jolley, G.A. McGee, C.R. Smith, and R.A. Tiller approved plans for the present courthouse. The cornerstone was laid by Lockhart Lodge No. 690, A.F.& A.M., on August 15, 1893. Contractors Martin, Byrne, and Johnston completed the building on March 19, 1894.

The 3-story structure is built of sandstone with red sandstone trim. It displays the fine workmanship and elaborate detail common to architecture of the period. The mansard roof is characteristic of the second empire style that was often used for public buildings. The courthouse is topped by a central clock tower, with additional towers at each corner and flanking the north and south entrances. When it was built, the structure was equipped with the latest conveniences of the day, including electricity.

Came to Texas 1830. Signed Declaration of Independence; helped to write Constitution of the Republic in 1836 and the state in 1845; served Montgomery County as district attorney and three terms as State Representative. Highest appointed official in Texas, keeper of the state seal, the secretary of state is named by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate. This office has attracted leaders. Stephen F. Austin, "Father of Texas," held the post in 1836. Secretary Ebenezer Allen in 1845 represented the Republic in annexation, reserving for Texas her public lands -- a prerogative allowed to no other state. The secretary of state grants charters; attests the commissions and proclamations of the governor; assists the governor in extradition proceedings; registers appointments of the governor to the many state boards; administers the uniform commercial code of Texas; appoints notaries; publishes the laws of Texas; administers election laws; issues ballots; canvasses returns; files reports of state agencies. Since Stewart, 83 other men and two women have served Texas as secretary of state.

Charles Standfield Taylor: land commissioner of Texas, 1833; a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836; chief justice of Nacogdoches County, 1837; district attorney, 1839; Rio Grande land commissioner, 1854. Born in London, England, 1808; died November 1, 1865. His wife, Anna Maria Ruoff Taylor: born in Germany, March 1, 1814; died February 8, 1873.(Oakgrove Cemetery, Nacogdoches)

Formed from Young and Bexar territoris. Created August 21, 1876, organized April 11, 1887. Named in honor of George Campbell Childress 1804-1841. A member of the convention in 1836 Co-Author of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Childress, the County Seat.

In 1840 the Republic of Texas Congress annexed to Milam County all of Washington County north of Yegua Creek and west of the Brazos River. The name Caldwell, which honored Mathew "Old Paint" Caldwell, a noted pioneer and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, was chosen for a settlement that would become the seat of a future county. Following a land title dispute, this site was selected for the proposed town. Located on the Old San Antonio Road, it had been settled earlier by Virginia native Lewis L. Chiles, a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto who had operated a trading post on Davidson Creek.

George B. Erath platted the town of Caldwell in 1840. Streets running parallel to the Old San Antonio Road were named for native animals and intersecting streets were named for the Commissioners who had selected the townsite. When Burleson County was created six years later, Caldwell became the permanent seat of government. Incorporated in 1891, Caldwell developed as a major agricultural shipping center with the completion of area rail lines in 1890 and 1912. Since the 1840s the city has played a vital role in the region through its steady commercial growth and rich heritage.

Founded 1840 by Lewis L. Chiles, a veteran of Battle of San Jacinto. Named for Mathew "Old Paint" Caldwell, Indian fighter and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. This was county seat, Milam County, in 1845; since 1846 county seat of Burleson County. Home, Burleson County Fair.

Born in Franklin County, Tennessee, Claiborne West moved as a young man to Louisiana. He married Anna Garner in 1824 and they had nine children. His family immigrated to this area in 1825 and received a land grant in the Cow Bayou settlement.

Soon West joined in the struggle for independence from Mexico. As one of the representatives from Liberty municipality, he attended the 1832 Convention and the 1835 Consultation at San Felipe de Austin. West was responsible for the designation of Cow Bayou as Jefferson municipality, the forerunner of Jefferson and later Orange County. He served as a representative from the municipality to the general council and acted as local postmaster.

At the general convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, West was one of 58 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He helped draft the Republic of Texas Constitution. From July to October, 1836, West served in Franklin Hardin's Company of volunteers. He then served in the first Congress of the Republic of Texas.

West moved from here to Montgomery County and later settled in Seguin. He was buried in the Riverside Cemetery at Seguin.

Born in Tennessee 1803; delegate to the Convention 1832 and the Consultation, 1835. Member of the Council, Provisional Government of Texas. Delegate to the Convention, March 2, 1836 and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence; soldier and Congressman Republic of Texas. Died September 10, 1866.