How Wharton County Got Its Name and Its Start

Wharton County was formed in 1846, shortly after Texas joined the United States. It was named for brothers William H. Wharton and John A. Wharton, both of whom played key roles in the Texas revolution. The county was carved out of parts of Matagorda, Jackson, and Colorado counties.

Anglo settlers began arriving in 1823 as part of Stephen F. Austin's colony. Many came from Southern states and set up farms and plantations along creeks near the Colorado River. The city of Wharton was established as the county seat, with land for the courthouse square donated by an early settler. The county grew through cattle ranching, cotton and sugar farming, rice production, and eventually oil and gas.