Texas During The Progressive Era 1901-1929

The period from 1901 to 1929 saw Texas transform from a rural, agricultural society into an emerging industrial power. Driven by the "Black Gold" of the oil boom and the social reforms of the Progressive Era, the state began to modernize even as it grappled with internal political conflicts.

1901

The Age of Oil Begins: The Spindletop gusher near Beaumont produces more oil in one day than the rest of the world combined. This transforms Texas from an agrarian state to an industrial giant almost overnight.

1902

The Poll Tax: Texas adopts a poll tax as a requirement for voting. This disenfranchises many poor voters, specifically African Americans and the oldest Texan communities, cementing the "Solid South" Democratic control for decades.

1903

The Terrell Election Law: This law establishes the primary system for selecting political candidates, but it also allows for "White Primaries," further excluding Black Texans from the political process.

1904

The Houston Ship Channel: Construction begins on the dredging of Buffalo Bayou to turn Houston into a deep-water port, eventually making it one of the busiest ports in the world.

1905

School Reforms: The legislature passes the "First School Law," which consolidates small school districts and provides more state funding, signaling a Progressive Era focus on public education.

1906

The Brownsville Raid: Following reports of a shooting, Black soldiers of the 25th Infantry are falsely accused of a riot. President Theodore Roosevelt dismisses the entire battalion without a trial—a major racial injustice of the era.

1907

Texas Department of Agriculture: The state creates this department to help farmers manage new technologies and crop diseases, reflecting the ongoing importance of farming even as oil grows.

1908

The Great Flood of Dallas: The Trinity River reaches a record 52.6 feet, devastating the city and leading to the eventual construction of the levees that define modern Dallas.

1909

The El Paso Summit: Presidents William Howard Taft and Porfirio Díaz meet in El Paso and Juárez. It is the first time a U.S. President meets with a Mexican President, though tensions remain high.

1910

The Mexican Revolution: Civil war breaks out in Mexico. This causes a massive wave of immigration into Texas and creates nearly a decade of violence and instability along the Rio Grande border.

1911

Revolution in El Paso: Thousands of people watch from rooftops in El Paso as the Battle of Juárez unfolds across the river, marking the first major victory for the Mexican revolutionaries.

1912

Rice University Opens: The William Marsh Rice Institute opens in Houston, providing the state with a world-class private research university.

1913

The Federal Reserve: Dallas is selected as the headquarters for the 11th District of the Federal Reserve, solidifying the city's status as the financial hub of the Southwest.

1914

The Rise of "Pa" Ferguson: James E. Ferguson is elected Governor. A populist who appeals to tenant farmers, his administration would eventually end in the only impeachment and removal of a governor in Texas history.

1915

The Plan de San Diego: A revolutionary manifesto is discovered calling for an uprising in South Texas to reclaim the Southwest for Mexico. It leads to a "reign of terror" and heavy-handed Texas Ranger retaliation.

1916

The Pershing Expedition: Following Pancho Villa's raid on Columbus, New Mexico, General John J. Pershing leads an army of 10,000 soldiers from Texas into Mexico to capture him.

1917

WWI and the Zimmerman Telegram: Germany sends a secret message to Mexico, promising to help them reclaim Texas if they join the war against the U.S. This pushes America into World War I, and Texas becomes a massive training ground for the military.

1918

Women's Suffrage (Primaries): Texas becomes the first Southern state to allow women the right to vote in primary elections, largely as a reward for their support of Governor William P. Hobby over the disgraced Ferguson.

1919

The Canales Investigation: State Representative José T. Canales leads an investigation into the Texas Rangers, exposing widespread abuses and killings of Texans along the border. The Rangers are subsequently reorganized.

1920

The 19th Amendment: The U.S. Constitution is amended to grant women the right to vote. In Texas, the census reveals that for the first time, more people live in cities than on farms.

1921

The KKK at Its Peak: The Ku Klux Klan experiences a massive resurgence in Texas, gaining control of many local governments and even electing members to the state legislature and high-ranking offices.

1922

The Senate Seat Clash: In a major political battle, KKK-backed Earle B. Mayfield is elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas, reflecting the deep social divisions of the 1920s.

1923

The State Parks Board: Under Governor Pat Neff, the state begins creating a system of public parks to encourage tourism and the use of the newly popular automobile.

1924

"Ma" Ferguson Elected: Miriam "Ma" Ferguson is elected the first female Governor of Texas, running on a platform of "Two Governors for the price of one" to represent her impeached husband, James.

1925

The Anti-Klan Law: During her first term, "Ma" Ferguson signs a law prohibiting the wearing of masks in public, a move specifically designed to weaken the power of the Ku Klux Klan.

1926

Texas Tech Opens: Texas Technological College opens its doors in Lubbock, providing a major educational and research hub for the residents of the High Plains and West Texas.

1927

The "Big Swing": The cotton industry reaches a peak. Tens of thousands of migrant workers begin the "Big Swing"—a circuitous path through the state following the cotton harvest from South Texas to the Panhandle.

1928

The Houston Convention: The Democratic National Convention is held in Houston. It is the first time a major party holds its convention in the South since the Civil War, though the party splits over the nomination of Al Smith (a Catholic "Wet").

1929

LULAC Founded: The League of United Latin American Citizens is formed in Corpus Christi. It becomes the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States, fighting for the end of segregation and discrimination in Texas.