HISTORY

Cuero has a long and rich history. This time line hits just a few highlights of Cuero's great past and tells a little bit about how it got to where it is today!

1866  Chisholm Trail began outside present-day Cuero.
Cuero is named for "Cuero Creek". Cuero is Spanish for "rawhide". The Spanish called it Arroyo del Cuero or Creek of the Rawhide. This was a reference to cattle that would get stuck in the mud along the creek bank.

1868  Taylor-Sutton Feud
The Taylor-Sutton Feud was very bloody and long lasting. It encompassed a thirty year span and was said to have originated from bad feelings after the Civil War during Reconstruction. However, the true cause may never be determined, but it is a topic of much debate!

1875 & 1886  Hurricanes destroyed Indianola, TX; people relocated to Cuero
Many Cuero citizens migrated to escape the hurricanes that had destroyed Indianola, Texas. Indianola once rivaled Galveston as a gulf port. Some families went so far as to dismantle their homes in Indianola and rebuilt them in Cuero. The first hurricane hit on September 15, 1875. The town was full because of visitors attending a trial that was a result of the Taylor-Sutton Feud. Fatalities were estimated at 150 to 300. Only eight buildings were left undamaged by the storm. On August 19, 1886 a second hurricane hit and was accompanied by a fire.

1912  Turkey Trot Parade
The Turkey Trot, which has evolved into present-day Turkeyfest, began in 1912. Traveling salesmen from the north began watching with great interest the large flocks of turkeys that were driven on foot to the Cuero market. Today there is an annual race between turkeys from Worthington, Minnesota and Cuero, Texas. Also, there is a carnival, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and much more during the three day event.

1941  Fighter Pilot School
During World War II Cuero Field was established at the Cuero Municipal Airport, two miles west of Cuero. It was a US Army Air Force training field. All instructors and mechanics were civilian, though the Army supervised training. Thousands of pilots who graduated from Cuero Field went on to serve in World War II.

1942  Cuero recorded as largest cattle shipper in TX
The Cuero Livestock Commission records show Cuero as the largest shipper of cattle in the state in 1942 and 1943, with more than 800 train carloads exported per year. The commission, established in 1940, sold $251,750 worth of stock that same year; sales jumped to $1.3 million in 1941, $3.5 million in 1942, and $4.7 million in 1943.

1973, 1974 & 1987  State Champs: Gobbler Football
The Cuero Gobblers led the way to the state championship in 3A football. This was in 1973 with a 21-7 victory over Mount Pleasant. They would go on to win state another two years in 1974 and 1987.

1999  DeWitt County named Wildflower Capital of TX
The Texas Legislature passed HR 769 on May 4, 1999 designating DeWitt County as the Wildflower Capital of Texas. They also designated April as Wildflower Month in Texas. The Wildflower Association hosts a variety of events in April; including a bike race, walk/run, tours, and more!

In 2000  the first business relocated to our 150 acre Industrial Park.
Tod Slone Saddles offers quality custom hand tooled western saddles. Since that time the park has grown to include: Texas Department of Transportation, Frit-o-Lay Distribution, Jacob and Weaver Construction, C&K Oil Field Supply, and Multi-Chem.

2004  Cuero became a Preserve America Community
Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. Cuero became a Preserve America Community for its tireless efforts to maintain our history and heritage.

In 2007, Cuero welcomed Schumacher Air
as the seventh business to locate in the DeWitt Industrial Park. Schumacher Air services residential and commercial customers for their heating and air conditioning needs. The developed portion of the industrial park is almost full.