Pleasanton

(Founded 1858) Named for early Texas settler John Pleasants, by John Bowen (d.1867), San Antonio's first Anglo-American postmaster. Bowen, assisted financially by associate Henry L. Radaz, in Sept. 1858 founded this town at the juncture of Atascosa River and Bonita Creek as the county seat of Atascosa County. The first courthouse in Pleasanton (second in county) stood on this site. Men from this and surrounding counties met here in Civil War (1862) to form Co. E, 32nd Texas Volunteer Cavalry, Confederate Army, under Captain Lewis Maverick. In an area thick with Longhorns since Spanish and Indian days, Pleasanton became a cattlemen's capital. Beginning in 1860s, the Stock Raisers' Association of Western Texas often convened here. This was place of publication of "Western Stock Journal," founded 1873. Here gathered the hardiest and most skillful cowboys, including those driving herds from Mexican border to shipping points in Kansas. In spring of 1873 they drove 43,000 Atascosa county cattle up the trail. Pleasanton was county seat until 1911, and still grows. In 1961 it absorbed North Pleasanton (founded 1912 as site for San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad shops). County's largest town, it is famous for liveoak trees, and commerce in beef, peanuts, and petroleum. (1973)

Pleasanton is a historical marker in Pleasanton, Atascosa County, dedicated in 1973. It is one of 39 historical markers documented in Atascosa County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 126 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 28.9598, -98.4840 near Pleasanton. The nearest cataloged historic site is Old Rock Schoolhouse (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Pleasanton First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church of Pleasanton, and Jacob's Chapel Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5013004056. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.