History

Dayton, Texas is located in Liberty County. The community’s history is closely connected to the history of its neighbor, Liberty, which dates back to 1831. Liberty is the third oldest community in all of Texas. The community was originally called West Liberty, because it was located on the western banks of the Trinity River. After 1854, West Liberty began being called Day’s Town. This name came after I.C. Day, who was a wealthy landowner in the region. When the Texas and New Orleans Railroad passed through, the West Liberty station began being referred to as Days Station. Over the years this was changed to Dayton Station. In 1877, the post office officially adopted the name, changing it from West Liberty.

The primary industries in the region were lumber and cattle ranching. Across the Trinity River, Liberty was quickly becoming a trading center in the region, using the river as a method of transport. Over time, the lumber industry waned in the area and the economies of the nearby communities stalled. Luckily for the entire area, oil was discovered at the turn of the 20 th century and the oil boom took over. At its peak, Liberty was home to seventy oil firms and the economy quickly became dependent on the oil industry. This boom lasted for nearly seventy years.

Today

Recently the Houston metropolitan area has become one of the fastest growing regions in the entire country. Although Dayton is a little ways away from downtown Houston, its economy has become closely dependent on Houston’s. Today the population of the community is around 7,500 people and growing.

Things to do

There is a lot of nature in the area of Dayton. Just to the west is Lake Houston. This lake is a popular spot for boaters, anglers, swimmers, and water sport enthusiasts. In the summer, Lake Houston, is one of the region’s most popular spots. To the north of Lake Houston is the Lake Houston Wilderness Park, which is a great place to hike and take in nature. To the east is the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge. This spot offers hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. A little farther away is the Sam Houston National Forest. These are three of the major places in the region. There are also numerous small parks and wildlife areas scattered throughout the area.

Across the river in Liberty, there are several historical spots worth checking out. The Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center is located there. This library is home to much of Texas’ historical records. The Ott Hotel is also a famous spot in the region. Legend has it that it is haunted and ghost hunters come from all over to see it. There are several fairs and festivals near Dayton as well. The Trinity Valley Exposition Fair & Rodeo is one of the most famous and oldest. It is home to a rodeo, barbeque cook off, fair, and carnival. The Mayhaw Festival in Daisetta is also nearby and worth checking out. During the summer, the Liberty Jubilee takes place as well.