Petersburg (Lavaca County), Texas facts for kids

Petersburg, Texas was once an important town in Lavaca County, Texas. It was chosen as the county seat in August 1846, which means it was the main town where the county government was located. Today, Petersburg is a ghost town, meaning it's mostly abandoned. You can find its old location about six miles southeast of Hallettsville, near the Lavaca River.

The Story of Petersburg

Early Days of the Town

Petersburg started in 1846 on 300 acres of land. This land was given by a person named Arthur Sherill. The town quickly became a busy place. Its first post office opened in 1848, helping people send and receive mail.

Petersburg was also a major crossroads. This means it was where important roads met, like the ones connecting San Felipe, Gonzales, San Antonio, Victoria, and Columbus. This made it a central spot for early settlers in Texas.

The County Seat and a Fire

At first, Petersburg had just one building that served many purposes. It was the courthouse, a church, a school, and even the sheriff's office! But this important building sadly burned down.

After the fire, county business had to be done in different places. Sometimes, meetings were held under trees. Prisoners were kept in barns or private homes because there was no proper jail. A new courthouse was finally built in the mid-1850s.

Losing Its Importance

In 1852, the county decided to move the county seat to Hallettsville. This was a big change for Petersburg. People in Petersburg were not happy about this. It took some effort to move the county's important papers and records from Petersburg to Hallettsville.

During the American Civil War, Petersburg's school had to close. Many students left, likely because their families were affected by the war. In 1876, the post office also moved to a nearby town called Williamsburg.

Over time, Petersburg became less and less active. By 1963, the last building on the original townsite was a home. It was built using old wood from the very courthouse that once stood in Petersburg. This shows how the town slowly faded away, becoming the ghost town it is today.