Region: Prairies and Lakes
Established in 1871, the town was named for Mexican General José Antonio
Mexia, whose family donated the town site. The General first served under Santa
Anna but later joined an uprising against the Mexican dictator. The rebellion
failed, and the city's namesake was executed by a firing squad.
Natural gas was discovered nearby in 1912, and an oil gusher blew in nine
years later. The resulting boom ushered in a rowdy period marked by violence and
martial law.
Mexia marks the country's independence with its Boomin' on the 4th
Celebration and a rodeo held the last weekend in June.