Tommy Stringer

Corsicana (Images of America) Tommy Stringer

The first Texas legislature created Navarro County in 1846 and named it in honor of Texas patriot Jose Antonio Navarro. When asked to name the new seat of government, Navarro replied, "Call it Corsicana for the island of Corsica, the birthplace of my father." From its beginnings in 1848, Corsicana's history has been marked by Texas icons such as cotton, cattle, and chili. The town's history took a dramatic turn when drillers looking for water struck oil instead in 1894. By the end of the decade, more than 500 wells dotted the landscape, marking the first commercial oil field in Texas and launching the industry that has become synonymous with the Lone Star State. Oil, business enterprises, and politics are important parts of Corsicana's legacy, but much of its history is found in the everyday events that make up the fabric of a community. Local history is filled with stories of people who overcame obstacles to fulfill the American Dream.