San Saba, located in east central San Saba County, was settled in 1854 and named for its position along the San Saba River. It became the county seat in 1856 and quickly developed, featuring churches, schools, mills, and various businesses by 1884, with a population of 800. The population fluctuated over the years, reaching 1,200 by 1896, dropping to 889 in 1904, and then growing to 2,240 by 1933. San Saba served as a key shipping point for livestock and agricultural products, with its population peaking at 3,390 in 1950 before declining to 2,847 by the 1980 census. The town was incorporated in 1910 and has a rich history of early settlement and economic development.
The area around San Saba has been inhabited since prehistoric times, evidenced by numerous artifacts found along local streams. Early Native American tribes, including the Comanches, Lipans, and Kickapoos, used the region as camping grounds. The first Spanish exploration of the area is attributed to Juan Antonio Bustillo y Zevallos in 1755, which led to the establishment of the San Saba Mission. The first Anglo-American surveys began in 1839, and the first community was recorded in 1847. The cattle industry played a significant role in the area’s economy, with successful cattle drives starting in 1848 and the first cattle brand recorded in 1856, leading to a boom in cattle raising post-Civil War.
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City of San Saba, San Saba County, San Saba River, County Seat, Churches, Schools, Mills, Businesses, Population Growth, Livestock Shipping Point, Early Settlement History, Native American Tribes, Spanish Exploration, San Saba Mission, Anglo-American Surveys, Cattle Industry Economy