The population in Texas grew fast during this time from over one and a half million in 1880 to over three million by 1900. Oil discoveries continued after that, heralding in the oil boom, which permanently transformed and grew the economy of Texas.īlack and Latino communities emerged during the late 19th century too, separate from one another and from the dominant white population and, not surprisingly, they faced much discrimination. In 1901, petroleum was found near Beaumont, Texas and became, at that time, the most productive oil well in the world. Crops were also carried from farms all over the state, and people were able to travel to newly developing cities.

The growth of the railroad system vitalized commercial farming as well as ranching (but ended the golden era of the cowboy) lumber was carried from east Texas. Cowboys would travel for weeks at a time on trails with these wild cattle, thus creating the iconic vision of the Texan cowboy fiercely independent and rugged that has become a lasting symbol of the state. Wild longhorn cattle could be sold in the northern United States for up to six times what they went for in the South, so ranchers caught them and organized drives to get them up there, sometimes all the way up to Canada. Texas had always been cattle country, but after the Civil War, the economic importance of livestock grew. In fact, agriculture dominated the state economy, and much of it centered on ranching. Cotton was the most common crop grown for profit, and corn was the most common food crop. It was the era of cotton, cattle and railroads, and it was a time of economic growth. Much of the state's land was untamed and rugged, but in this time between the end of the Reconstruction and the beginning of the Progressive Era, Texas changed and grew, as did much of the western frontier and the New South. Paulette Jiles' News of the World takes place in late 19th century Texas.

This article relates to News of the World

News of the world jiles