Somerville in the Beginning

Development of the village began when William Landolt, realizing that a railroad station would be built for the new townsite, came from Kentucky in 1888 and purchased land for himself and his brother, Casper, who then came to Texas to lend financial aid and other help in laying out a town. The land purchased by the Landolt brothers extended southward to the Yegua Creek, and purchasing price was the incredible of $300.00. About this same time, J. F. Lyons of Lyons Station. bought land and began selling lots and erecting brick buildings. Some of these buildings are still in use and bear the dates and names of the builders, Landolt and Lyon. All places of business; general stores, saloons, restaurants, game rooms, blacksmith shops and stables, faced the railroad tracks. Early businessmen were the Landolts, Lyons, J. W. Lauderdale and R. A. Brantley.

A post office was established before 1900 and Waddy Thompson was the first postmaster. Prior to this time, mail was picked up in Lyons. Prosperous farmers within a distance of two miles now changed their address from Lyons to Somerville. Some of these were S.R.B. Sands, J. B. Arendale, M. Sands, T. R. Richards and W. Armstrong.

The Santa Fe Tie and Lumber Treating Plant was built in 1897 and was leased to the Texas Tie and Lumber Company until January 1905. J. W. Lauderdale was instrumental in getting the Santa Fe Tie and Lumber Treating Plant to come to Somerville. The towns of Caldwell and Brenham did not want this plant to locate in their towns. Mr. Lauderdale furnished water to the Tie Plant by pipeline from the Big Lake located on his property. In February 1906, the Santa Fe Company resumed control, and the plant has been in continuous operation since that date. The first plant was located across the railroad tracks directly in front of the present depot. As business increased, the plant expanded until it reached the present location. It it considered the largest wood and preserving plant in the world. The first plant superintendent was Ed Burbank. Most of the officials came from the north. Because of the heavy work in handling ties, Negroes were hired for the yard jobs. White men were bosses, and young white boys served as water carriers. The plant was purchased by Koppers Industries in March 1995.

In 1898, the Landolts built a hotel where the present printing office is housed. Other buildings were then erected on what is now the main thoroughfare.

In 1898, when Mrs. Norton B. Welborn arrived, some of the few families settled here in the village were the Landolts, Seals, Snyders, John F. Lyon, the Lauderdales, the station agent, Al Alford; Tom Ralph, Tom Watson, the Harkins and their mother, Mrs. Martin, grandmother to Mrs. J. C. Lauderdale.

Prior to 1898, people attended church in Lyons. A Union Sunday School was then organized under the direction of Ed Burbank, a Cumberland Presbyterian. Casper Landolt donated a lot and a brush arbor was erected to serve for worship service. A short while later, a wooden structure was built and served as a church and a school. In 1901, the First Methodist Church was organized, and a building was erected under the direction of the first pastor, Rev. W. E. McClellan, grandfather of Mrs. Mae Look.

Approximately 75 people lived in Somerville 1896. In the fall of that year, when Chicago capitalists purchased twenty-five acres of land on which to build the railroad tie plant, the population increased quite rapidly. Then, after the Round House was built, more people came in.

Somerville then became the division headquarters of the Santa Fe Beaumont branch with freight and passenger service through East Texas. The main line gave connection with northern markets. The Harvey House, built in 1900 and closed in 1940, served passengers on the main line and the branch division as well as local railroad employees and town people.

About this time, Fuller's Earth, a type of clay, was discovered two miles from town and a plant was established to process the clay for commercial use. The plant was abandoned after a few years in operation.

Somerville is about eighty-five miles from the Gulf Coast, and has natural drainage and a very healthful climate. Average rainfall is forty-five inches. The sandy loam soil with a solid clay subsoil retains moisture and is suitable for raising all kinds truck vegetables, and staple crops. Artesian water, at a depth of 600 feet, and rotation of crops enable farmers to realize profitable income from vegetables to cotton, corn and grain.

In these early days, there was a cotton gin, electric light plant, a ten-ton ice plant, lumber yard, bottling works, tin shop, bakery, candy parlor, operated by a Greek; and a state bank. With time and progress, a city water system was put into service.

Somerville officially organized on March 19, 1913 with a commissioner form of government. Those who held office included Mayor Casper Landolt, Councilmen R.A. Brantley, Jr.; R. L. Meeks, and City Secretary W. H. Lynch. In April 1915, Mr. Lynch became Marshall and was paid $75.00 a month. Mr. E. R. Reynolds then became City Secretary being paid $60.00 a month.

As the town of Somerville grew, the need for expansion of the school system also became apparent. The public school started as a 3 room building at the corner of 9th street. In 1905, with the help of Mr. Landolt, the first brick building was constructed at the present site. The first graduating class consisted of 3 boys and 2 girls in 1909. In 1920 indoor plumbing was added to the school but woodburning stoves were used until gas boilers were added in 1950. The Stone Gym (now the Yegua Center) was erected in 1939, the present Jr. High was built in 1969 and the existing High School was built in 1979-80.