Shiner in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Half Moon

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 30, 2012

1. Half Moon Marker

Inscription. The community of Half Moon was first mentioned in a 1689 account from Gov. Alonso de Leon's expedition when the group encountered a Native American tribe that called Half Moon their home. The area was known as Half Moon due to the peculiar shape of the timber in the area. This location on Rocky Creek was a natural gathering place for Native Americans and travelers. Since the 1830s, settlers have flocked to the area to engage in trade and farming. One of the early settlers was German immigrant George Herder who participated in the Texas War for Independence and built a home in the area. During the height of the town, from 1885 to 1887, the community consisted of mercantile businesses, a saloon, a post office, and a number of other buildings, including a structure for the Woodmen of the World organization.

In 1887, Henry B. Shiner donated land for a railroad and the building of a town, which later became known as Shiner. For a short while, the area was known as New Half Moon. Once the Aransas Pass Railroad switch was constructed on Shiner's land, transportation bypassed Half Moon and the town's activity and population

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slowly decreased. Half Moon continued to play a significant role in the economic, political and social life of the people in the area with a number of events such as a rabbit hunt and a 4th of July celebration. The Half Moon community served as a focal point for bringing people together through trade and served as the foundation for the population of Shiner. Half Moon is an example of the influence of small communities that led to the development of larger cities. 175 Years of Texas Independence • 1836-2011
Marker is property of the State of Texas

Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16962.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical year for this entry is 1689.

Location. 29° 26.112′ N, 97° 11.902′ W. Marker is in Shiner, Texas, in Lavaca County. It is at the intersection of County Route 533 and County Route 342, on the left when traveling south on County Route 533. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shiner TX 77984, United

Photographed by Richard Denney, November 30, 2012

2. Half Moon Marker

View of marker in context

States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Herder Half Moon Place (approx. 0.9 miles away); SPJST Shiner Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); All Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Shiner Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Shiner Game and Fish Protective League (approx. 1.4 miles away); Shiner Colored Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Shiner, Texas (approx. 1½ miles away); Captain Charles Welhausen (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiner.

Photographed by Richard Denney

3. Half Moon Marker

Panorama of country behind the marker where Half Moon was located.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,558 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.