Pilgrim, Texas facts for kids
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Pilgrim is a small community in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. About 60 people live there.
This community is located on land that was given to a man named Thomas J. Pilgrim. He received this land from Stephen F. Austin, who was a very important person in Texas history. Pilgrim is also near a special area called a salt flat. In the 1870s, it was known as a place where a famous person named John Wesley Hardin sometimes stayed. You can find Pilgrim on a map along Farm to Market Road 1116.
History of Pilgrim
Early Beginnings
In 1838, Thomas J. Pilgrim received a special land grant. This was a gift of land from the Republic of Texas, which was an independent country before Texas joined the United States. This land was in Gonzales County, Texas.
The land given to Thomas J. Pilgrim included a lake and the area that became the settlement known as Pilgrim. The community and some of its important places were named in his honor.
Schools and Education
Education was important in Pilgrim. In the 1880s, there were three schools that were part of the Pilgrim Creek School District:
- Burnett School: This school started in 1875. It was named after another family who had moved to the area.
- Salt Creek School: Established in 1878, this school got its name from the nearby salt flats.
- Lake Grove: This school opened in 1883. At that time, it was specifically for Black students.
Community Landmarks
Two other important places in Pilgrim were also named after Thomas J. Pilgrim:
- Pilgrim Presbyterian Church: This church served the community.
- Pilgrim Cemetery: This is where many people from the community were laid to rest.
To remember the history of Pilgrim, a special marker was placed on the road. This marker is called a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. It tells visitors about the community's past.
