The Growth of Towns

The amount of people living in towns skyrocketed between 1850 and 1860. In 1860 Galveston was largest town in Texas, but by 1860 San Antonio was, with a population of more than 8000 people, many which were Germans immigrants. Some notable towns were New Braunfels, Mashall, and Austin. None of those communities could be called a city. All had a few homes, general stores, blacksmith shops, offices for lawyers and doctors, trade shops, and a few even had newspapers. All buildings were constructed with logs or lumber except the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, which was made out of stone in 1859. Most setteled areas had gristmills that ground corn and other grains into meal.