Loyal Valley, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loyal Valley, Texas
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 Loyal Valley, Texas
Location in Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Mason |
| Elevation | 1,519 ft (463 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 50 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 325 |
| FIPS code | 48-44320 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1380113 |
Loyal Valley is a small farming and ranching community in Mason County, Texas. It was started in 1858 and is located about 6 miles north of Cherry Spring. The community is near Cold Spring Creek and sits on the old Pinta Trail. In the year 2000, about 50 people lived there.
Contents
Early Settlers and Community Life
Loyal Valley was settled in 1858 by German immigrants from Fredericksburg. Some of the first settlers included Henry and Christian Keyser, John Kidd, and a Mr. Gertsdorff. The community was also an important stop for stagecoaches traveling between San Antonio and forts in the west.
A post office opened in Loyal Valley in 1868, with Solomon Wright as the first postmaster. This helped the community connect with other places.
John O. Meusebach's Influence
John O. Meusebach moved to Loyal Valley after a tornado destroyed his home in New Braunfels in 1869. His granddaughter, Irene Marschall King, said he named the area "Loyal Valley" because he stayed loyal to the Union during the American Civil War.
Meusebach ran a general store and a stagecoach stop in the community. He also served as a justice of the peace and notary public. In 1873, he became the second postmaster for Loyal Valley. Later, his daughter Lucy Meusebach Marschall and his wife Agnes also served as postmasters.
Community Safety and Growth
In 1847, the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty was signed with the Penateka Comanche Tribe. This treaty helped make the area safer for settlers from Penateka raids. However, other Native American tribes, like the Kiowa and Apache, still sometimes caused trouble for the settlers.
During the 1870s, many settlers from nearby communities moved to Loyal Valley because they felt safer there. One famous story from this time is about Herman Lehmann. He was captured by the Apache but later escaped. He was then rescued by the Comanche and adopted by their chief, Quanah Parker.
Philip Buchmeyer, who was Herman Lehmann's stepfather, and his wife Augusta ran a hotel and saloon in Loyal Valley. Philip Buchmeyer also built a special one-room stone building that served as both a school and a church. This building was still standing in 1980.
The Mason County Conflict
Around 1875, a conflict known as the Mason County Hoo Doo War started in the area. This conflict was mainly about cattle theft and people trying to take justice into their own hands. Groups of armed people caused fear and unrest in the settlements.
During this time, John O. Meusebach was shot in the leg when his store was raided. The conflict made life difficult for everyone in the region.
