Monthalia is a small unincorporated rural community in Gonzales County, Texas

Gonzales County, Texas

Gonzales County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,628. It is named for its seat, the city of Gonzales.-History Timeline:* Paleo-Indians Hunter-gatherers, and later Coahuiltecan, Tonkawa, Karankawa...

. The community had only 65 people as of the 2000 census. It is primarily home to livestock ranchers and has no schools or businesses. As a testament to its livestock ranching, Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan

Lynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....

 Beef operates several ranches in the area raising cattle. It is located 14 miles (22.5 km) from Gonzales, Texas

Gonzales, Texas

Gonzales is a city in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gonzales County.-Geography:Gonzales is located at...

.

Geography

Monthalia is located at 29°28′08"N 97°36′31"W and sits at an elevation of about 400 feet (121.9 m). The Guadalupe River borders it to the north. The vegetation of the area consists of Bermuda grass pastures, stands of post oaks, and dense fields of mesquite.

History

Monthalia was first settled in 1846. It progressed to have a church and masonic lodge by 1868 and a post office

Post office

A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...

 was established in 1893. The community later built a school and even an auto shop and butcher. The town declined and many functions were later operated as a co-op with the residents. The school closed in 1948 and the post office was closed in 1968; both were moved a short distance to neighboring Cost, TX.