Discover Gustine

Gustine’s history can be traced through changes in its location and its transportation routes. A tour of Volleman's Family Farm dairy and the Gustine Pavilion offer additional options to consider when planning a trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in Gustine, you can first decide whether local history, a tour, or use of the Pavilion will shape your stay.

Dairy Tour and Gustine Pavilion

Volleman's Family Farm offers tours of its dairy. You can plan dates through the Dairy Tours page. Check the dates and arrangements before your trip so you can schedule this activity appropriately.

The Gustine Pavilion is next to Gustine City Hall and is open for public use. Rental includes a concession stand, restrooms, electricity, and tables and chairs. Reservations are required for Homecoming celebrations; no rental fee is charged for these special events. Confirm reservation details before using the Pavilion. The reservation requirement and rental policy apply specifically to Homecoming celebrations.

From Old Evergreen to Its Present Location

Gustine was settled around 1873 by H. H. Blankenship and M. B. Odell. The first settlement was called Old Evergreen and was about three-quarters of a mile northeast of the present location. Old Evergreen had homes, a store, a blacksmith shop, a cotton gin, and a school. Together, these facilities show Old Evergreen as a place to live, trade, work, process agricultural products, and learn.

Another historical milestone is the U.S. post office: it opened in Gustine in January 1888 and was named after postmaster Samuel Gustine. In the early 1890s, Gustine moved to its present location to benefit from a newly opened road between Comanche and Hamilton. The settlement, post office, and relocation thus mark different stages in the town’s history; the move was prompted by the new road connection.

Railroad, Road, and Agriculture

The Cotton Belt Railroad, officially called the St. Louis Southwestern Railway of Texas, reached Gustine in 1911. State Highway 36 was built along the railroad right-of-way, maintaining Gustine’s main transportation connection. The connection between these two details is notable in the town’s transportation history: the railroad reached the town, and the road was built along the railroad right-of-way.

Agriculture is also part of Gustine’s past. In the 1980s, the community was agricultural, with an economic base that included cattle, goats, and hogs as well as grain, peanuts, pecans, and fruit. This decade is characterized by livestock farming and a variety of crops side by side. The town’s history thus encompasses both the early settlement and later transportation and economic connections.

Discover more destinations: De Leon, Comanche.

Back to the main travel overview: Comanche.