In 1871, Yorktown became the first incorporated city in DeWitt County.  It was founded by Capt. John York and Charles Eckhardt.

Captain York was born in Kentucky, and came to Austin County in 1821.  He was in command of a group of citizens who defeated General Cos in 1835 at the battle of Bexar.  For his military services, York received many acres of land in the Coleto Creek area.  In 1846, he founded the town of Yorktown.

 

Charles Eckhardt, the other founder, came from Germany in 1832 and started a business in Indianola.  He participated in the Texas War of Independence, where he met Captain York.  Mr. Eckhardt, who owned a mercantile business, contracted with John A. King to survey a road from Indianola through Yorktown to New Braunfels. This was later known as Old Indianola Trail.

 

After the proposed town was surveyed in early 1848, the founders offered free ten acre plots and the lot of choice to the first ten families who settled the town site.  German, Bohemian and Polish families soon changed this wilderness into one of the most prosperous sections of the entire state.  After the town was incorporated, the railway constructed their first line into this territory.

 

Yorktown is still a vibrant city with active community organizations, businesses, restaurants and historic places to visit.