Local History
San Saba and Its Pecan Industry
San Saba calls itself the Pecan Capital of the World, a claim rooted in the work of a 19th-century settler who improved native pecan trees.
San Saba County was formed in 1856 from Bexar County. Early settlers raised cattle and grew cotton. Over time, pecans became the county's most well-known crop.
Edmund E. Riesen, an Englishman, arrived in 1874. He spent his life working to improve native pecan trees in the area. His work helped build the foundation of San Saba's pecan industry. Today, San Saba still calls itself the Pecan Capital of the World.
The county also raises cattle, sheep, goats, wheat, and peanuts. The county seat is the city of San Saba, about 90 miles northwest of Austin. For more history, check the Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas. It is a well-sourced account and is listed in the sources below.
Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook of Texas — San Saba County