Region: Prairies and Lakes
At southern end of Austin County, Wallis got its start as a railroad town in
1880. William Guyler donated 100 acres of land to entice the Gulf, Colorado and
Santa Fe railroads to come here from Galveston. A depot was established and
named for railroad director and engineer Joseph Edmond Wallis. By 1890, Czech
settlers arrived from Fayette County and settled near the current city
location.
Wallis Methodist Church and Wallis City Cemetery have Texas State Historical
Markers. The city also features antique, gift and collectible shops and
bed-and-breakfasts.