BLOCK 2

TO 1846 - 1850 MAP

Block 2 is located west of the Courthouse square and is bordered by Second St. on the north, Third St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

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Dr. Marshall Breazeale Bennett Drug Store Stand (Block 2 Lot 1)

In May 1846, Dr. Marshall B. Bennett, volunteered in Ben McCullough’s Company and served as an assistant surgeon.  Upon his return from the Mexican War, he located in Hallettsville on the NW corner of Block 2, where he set up his office and dispensed medicines.  Collatinus did not give Bennett a deed to the property until 1851.  

Dr. Marshall Breazeale Bennett
Tax Assessor Collector 1848 – 1852
1850 Census Doctor

For more information about Dr. Marshall Breazeale Bennett please read “From Our Pioneer Memories” Lavaca County Tribune Herald Nov. 19, 1974, below.

References:
*Free State of Lavaca p. 161-162
*Memorial and Genealogical Records of Southwest Texas p. 155 – 156

TO 1851 - JUNE 1852 MAP

 Block 2 is located west of the Courthouse square and is bordered by Second St. on the north, Third St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

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Dr. Marshall Breazeale Bennett Drug Store Stand (Block 2 Lot 1)

In May 1846, Dr. Marshall B. Bennett, volunteered in Ben McCullough’s Company and served as an assistant surgeon. Upon his return from the Mexican War, he located in Hallettsville on the NW corner of Block 2, where he set up his office and dispensed medicines. 

While Bennett was already in business before 1850, Collantinus Ballard did not sell the lot to Bennett until December 9, 1851. 

Dr. Bennett moved his practice of general medicine from his drug store stand on Lot 1 Block 2 to the first floor of the Masonic Hall located on Block 1 Lot 8.  

References:

*Free State of Lavaca p. 161 - 163

*Lavaca County Deed B/45

*Headwaters of the Lavaca and Navidad p. 147

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A.W. Hicks Hotel & Tavern (Block 2 Lot 2-8)

On May 7, 1852, Collatinus Ballard deeded to A.W. Hicks Block 2 between Second and Third Streets and Front and Main Streets containing 8 town lots measuring 20 X 40 varas each except Lot 1 of said block which had previously been sold to Dr. M.B. Bennett. The deed stated that the block was the one on which Hicks lived and occupied with a house and garden.  

References:

*On the Headwaters of the Lavaca and the Navidad p.17

*Lavaca County Deed B/443

​Block 2 is located west of the Courthouse square and is bordered by Second St. on the north, Third St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out._____________________________________________________
Thomas H. Hawks (Block 2 Lot 1)

Please see the Hawks Story, below

To 1855 MAP

Block 2 is located west of the Courthouse square and is bordered by Second St. on the north, Third St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas by 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

Thomas H. Hawks (Block 2 Lot 1) For more on Thomas H. Hawks, please see PDF "Thomas H. Hawks", below. 

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A.W. Hicks (Block 2 Lot 2) For more on A.W. Hicks, please see PDF "Who Really Owns the Hotel", below. 

A.W. Hicks (Block 2 Lot 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) For more on A.W. Hicks, please see PDF "Who Really Owns the Hotel", below. 

C.C. & W.C. Dibrell West ½ & Dr. William A. East East ½ Block 2 Lot 8

1855: Part of Dibrell lot sold to Dr. William A. East who constructed a small building for an office and drug store. Dr. East was another of Ballard’s protégés; in 1855, at the time East purchased the Dibrell lot, Ballard deeded him conditionally a tract on the N line of the Hallett League in consideration of improvements to be placed thereon; a fence and a substantial log cabin. East was to have the land rent-free for five years and then buy it at five dollars per acre. Dr. East later formed a trade agreement with Joseph J. Ballard, a druggist, and the two operated a drug store on the west side of the square. On Ballard’s death, the firm was reorganized with Thomas E. Mason as a druggist.  

Reference:

*Free State of Lavaca p. 164

1855 December 5: C.C. & W.C. Dibrell to William A. East east ½ of lot adjacent to storehouse now occupied by us and fronting on public square 12/5/55.

Reference:

*Lavaca County Deed D/10

To 1858 Map

Block 2 is located west of the Courthouse square and is bordered by Second St. on the north, Third St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas by 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

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Collatinus Ballard & John W. Kelly (Block 2 Lot 1 – 7)

Charles C. & William C. Dibrell (Block 2 Lot 8)