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HELENA,
TEXAS
Texas Ghost
Town
Karnes County, South Texas
Hwy 80 and FM 81
5 miles E of Panna Maria
60 miles SE of San Antonio
via Hwy 181
Population:
35
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The
Helena Museum Complex
Photo by John Troesser, 2001 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Helena once held great promise. It was founded by Lewis Owings and
Thomas Ruckman. The name came from Owings wife Helen. Ownings went
on to become the first Governor of Arizona (Territory). Helena's situation
on the San Antonio River and the Chihuahua Trail guaranteed
it would become a major city.
Helena became the first Karnes County Seat when the county
organized in 1854 and during the Civil War it served as a major point
on the "Cotton Road" between Matamoros, Mexico and
Alleyton, Texas (Colorado County).
The
First Karnes County Courthouse |
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Old
Storefronts in "downtown" Helena
Photo by John Troesser, 2001 |
| According to
story, the demise of Helena can be traced to one man. He was a rancher
whose son was shot and killed in Helena. He demanded revenge and when
he couldn't find the individual(s) responsible, he instead swore to
kill the entire town. When the railroad came through the area, the
rancher practically gave the railroad their right-of-way and we can
see the results today. |
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State
Highway 80 through Helena
Photo by John Troesser, 2001 |
The other story
was that the railroad was demanding a bounty of 35,000 dollars and
the town could only come up with 32,000. The railroad insisted on
the full amount and moved on to Karnes
City when the extra money couldn't be raised. The second story
is believable, but doesn't have the pathos of a father's grief.
© John Troesser
See
The
Gunfight that Killed Helena by C. F. Eckhardt
The Mexican Cemetery
near Helena |
Helena Texas
Forum
Anyone wishing
to share history, photos or stories of Helena, Texas, please contact
us. |
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