1. Pioneer Life Commerce and Transportation p. 306 - 311

2. Trades and Professions Some Texans made their living in trades, including brick masons, blacksmiths, carpenters, and wheelwrights. Some Texans made their living in trades, including brick masons, blacksmiths, carpenters, and wheelwrights. Others entered professions such as law, medicine, the ministry and teaching. Others entered professions such as law, medicine, the ministry and teaching. The increase in population meant more people with specific skills settled in the republic. The increase in population meant more people with specific skills settled in the republic.

3. Industry and Commerce Fuel Growth The few industries in early Texas were located in towns or along major roads or rivers. The few industries in early Texas were located in towns or along major roads or rivers. Over time Texans built brickyards, tanneries, iron foundries, cotton gins, soap factories, carriage factories, and textile (cloth) mills. Over time Texans built brickyards, tanneries, iron foundries, cotton gins, soap factories, carriage factories, and textile (cloth) mills. Able and creative leaders promoted the growth of business. Able and creative leaders promoted the growth of business.

4. Better Transportation Travel in Texas was difficult. Travel in Texas was difficult. Some roads had been Native American trails, while others were originally built in the Spanish and Mexican eras. Some roads had been Native American trails, while others were originally built in the Spanish and Mexican eras. Almost all the roads were unpaved, and rains often turned them into mud. Almost all the roads were unpaved, and rains often turned them into mud. Almost all of the goods transported in early Texas were carried by freight wagons drawn by oxen or mule teams. Almost all of the goods transported in early Texas were carried by freight wagons drawn by oxen or mule teams.

5. Stagecoaches and Steamboats Stagecoach was a popular but expensive means of travel. Stagecoach was a popular but expensive means of travel. The Butterfield Overland Line provided transportation and all mail service to St. Louis and Memphis to the east and San Francisco to the west. The Butterfield Overland Line provided transportation and all mail service to St. Louis and Memphis to the east and San Francisco to the west. Stagecoach lines connected towns and cities within Texas. Stagecoach lines connected towns and cities within Texas. They traveled about 7 miles per hour in good weather. They traveled about 7 miles per hour in good weather.

6. Stagecoaches and Steamboats Steamboats carrying passengers and freight operated on Texas’s major rivers. Steamboats carrying passengers and freight operated on Texas’s major rivers. While steamboat travel was comfortable and cheap, but encountered problems like driftwood (rafts) and sandbars. While steamboat travel was comfortable and cheap, but encountered problems like driftwood (rafts) and sandbars. Buffalo Bayou was the most heavily traveled waterway in Texas. Buffalo Bayou was the most heavily traveled waterway in Texas. It was an effective passageway for steamboats that carried cotton from the interior of Texas to Galveston. It was an effective passageway for steamboats that carried cotton from the interior of Texas to Galveston.

7. Railroads Aid Business The first Texas railroads were built shortly after statehood and into the early 1850’s. The first Texas railroads were built shortly after statehood and into the early 1850’s. To encourage the extensions of the rail lines, the state gave bounties of land and loaned money form the school fund to railroad companies. To encourage the extensions of the rail lines, the state gave bounties of land and loaned money form the school fund to railroad companies. By 1860 several railroads connected Houston with neighboring communities. By 1860 several railroads connected Houston with neighboring communities. These railroads brought many kinds of products in and out of Houston and helped to make it one of the state’s most vital cities. These railroads brought many kinds of products in and out of Houston and helped to make it one of the state’s most vital cities.

8. Telegraph and Newspapers A telegraph firm called the Texas and Red River Telegraph Company had been chartered, or established by a state contract, in January 1854. A telegraph firm called the Texas and Red River Telegraph Company had been chartered, or established by a state contract, in January 1854. The company opened the first telegraph office in Marshall and began extending lines to many other cities. The company opened the first telegraph office in Marshall and began extending lines to many other cities. Newspapers were an important source of information. Newspapers were an important source of information. The Telegraph and Texas Register was the most influential of the early newspapers. The Telegraph and Texas Register was the most influential of the early newspapers.

9. Texans Gather for Social Life During the 1850’s most Texans lived on isolated farms and had few occasions to visit with their neighbors. During the 1850’s most Texans lived on isolated farms and had few occasions to visit with their neighbors. Texans combined many social activities with work like quilting and log rolling. Texans combined many social activities with work like quilting and log rolling. Dancing was one of the most popular forms of recreation. Dancing was one of the most popular forms of recreation. The fiesta, a festival or religious celebration, was a part of the Hispanic culture. The fiesta, a festival or religious celebration, was a part of the Hispanic culture.

10. Formal Education Advances Slowly Although the Texas Congress set aside land for public education during the Lamar administration, no state public school system was established. Although the Texas Congress set aside land for public education during the Lamar administration, no state public school system was established. In rural areas, mothers often taught their children the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. In rural areas, mothers often taught their children the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. In 1854 the legislature set aside $2 million as a permanent school fund but Texas established few schools. In 1854 the legislature set aside $2 million as a permanent school fund but Texas established few schools. Colleges were founded by churches. Colleges were founded by churches.

11. Religious Diversity Flourishes Before the Texas Revolution, the Mexican government recognized only the Roman Catholic faith. Before the Texas Revolution, the Mexican government recognized only the Roman Catholic faith. After independence, the Constitution of 1836 guaranteed freedom of religion. After independence, the Constitution of 1836 guaranteed freedom of religion. Protestant churches grew in popularity. Protestant churches grew in popularity. Methodist had the biggest gain, and the Baptist and Presbyterian faiths also were successful. Methodist had the biggest gain, and the Baptist and Presbyterian faiths also were successful.