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Yoakum is a small town with a proud
history and rich heritage. We are
situated on the DeWitt - Lavaca
County Line and are considered a
division point for the railway. With a
population of 5,731 (2000 census)
many of those individuals call
Yoakum “HOME” and enjoy the
comforts of a small town. The nearby
larger cities of Austin, San Antonio,
Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria
are only a short driving distance for
those of you who enjoy the larger city
lifestyle and shopping but like to
reside in a quieter atmosphere.
Founded in 1887 with the San Antonio
Aransas Pass Railway, Yoakum began
its ever-changing atmosphere.
history and rich heritage. We are
situated on the DeWitt - Lavaca
County Line and are considered a
division point for the railway. With a
population of 5,731 (2000 census)
many of those individuals call
Yoakum “HOME” and enjoy the
comforts of a small town. The nearby
larger cities of Austin, San Antonio,
Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria
are only a short driving distance for
those of you who enjoy the larger city
lifestyle and shopping but like to
reside in a quieter atmosphere.
Founded in 1887 with the San Antonio
Aransas Pass Railway, Yoakum began
its ever-changing atmosphere.
The main railroad line ran from Houston to San Antonio. A few years after the development of the railroad,
Yoakum began to grow. Back in the day, this small town was once a frontier where nearly every man wore a six-
shooter and did not hesitate to use them. When Yoakum began, many of the houses were saloons or gambling
places. There were no empty houses, and all of the hotels and boarding houses were filled up. There was a cotton
mill, three cotton gins and a compress, a daily and two weekly newspapers, a ten ton ice factory, electric light plant,
a cistern factory, telephone system, a national bank and one private bank, and an excellent school system.
In 1927 this town adapted to the development of the tomato growing business when the cotton industry was
becoming a losing battle. More than 300 car loads of these were shipped as “green wraps” in a single season. Out
of appreciation to this industry, Yoakum now and has for many years hosted the Annual Tom-Tom Festival held
every 1st weekend in June.
Yoakum is now comprised of the City which provides electricity, water, sewer, and sanitation to all of the citizens; a
Fire/EMS Station; local Police Department; Yoakum Community Hospital; Public Library; several public parks; an
RV Park; US Post Office; Local Newspaper; an outstanding school district providing education for children Pre-K
through 12; a Catholic School for children 3 to 8th grade; 3 local banks; many restaurants; 2 pharmacies; several
retail and gift shops; a farmer’s market; Chamber of Commerce; insurance agencies; HEB Grocery Store; Double D
Ranchwear; Tandy Brands Accessories; TexTan Western; Double J Saddlery; Texas Department of Transportation;
many churches of many denominations; several gas stations; 3 Home Health Agencies; 2 Flower & Gift Shops; 2
printing & office supply companies; 3 car dealerships; 2 Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers; one locally owned and
operated funeral home; a gym; 2 meat packing companies; 2 feed stores; a movie shop; several furniture stores; a
bakery; daycares; cleaners; hair salons; boutiques.
Yoakum began to grow. Back in the day, this small town was once a frontier where nearly every man wore a six-
shooter and did not hesitate to use them. When Yoakum began, many of the houses were saloons or gambling
places. There were no empty houses, and all of the hotels and boarding houses were filled up. There was a cotton
mill, three cotton gins and a compress, a daily and two weekly newspapers, a ten ton ice factory, electric light plant,
a cistern factory, telephone system, a national bank and one private bank, and an excellent school system.
In 1927 this town adapted to the development of the tomato growing business when the cotton industry was
becoming a losing battle. More than 300 car loads of these were shipped as “green wraps” in a single season. Out
of appreciation to this industry, Yoakum now and has for many years hosted the Annual Tom-Tom Festival held
every 1st weekend in June.
Yoakum is now comprised of the City which provides electricity, water, sewer, and sanitation to all of the citizens; a
Fire/EMS Station; local Police Department; Yoakum Community Hospital; Public Library; several public parks; an
RV Park; US Post Office; Local Newspaper; an outstanding school district providing education for children Pre-K
through 12; a Catholic School for children 3 to 8th grade; 3 local banks; many restaurants; 2 pharmacies; several
retail and gift shops; a farmer’s market; Chamber of Commerce; insurance agencies; HEB Grocery Store; Double D
Ranchwear; Tandy Brands Accessories; TexTan Western; Double J Saddlery; Texas Department of Transportation;
many churches of many denominations; several gas stations; 3 Home Health Agencies; 2 Flower & Gift Shops; 2
printing & office supply companies; 3 car dealerships; 2 Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers; one locally owned and
operated funeral home; a gym; 2 meat packing companies; 2 feed stores; a movie shop; several furniture stores; a
bakery; daycares; cleaners; hair salons; boutiques.
| Below are pictures of the San Antonio Aransas Pass Railway |
| Our History |