Pioneer in the improved-pecan industry of Texas, founded in 1888 by English-born F. A. Swinden.  He began cultivating the trees in this area, where they grow wild on Pecan Bayou, and developed the large Swinden pecan as well.
Here, on 400 acres, he planted his orchard, which by 1894 had 11,000 trees from one to six years old.  He started the first irrigation project in region by building a dam across the Bayou.
In 1919, H. G. Lucas and partner, Wm. Capps, acquired the orchard.
Lucas operated it more than 40 years and shipped pecans to markets all over the world.
(1968)