Cuero has a long and rich history. This timeline hits just a few highlights of Cuero’s great past and tells a little bit about how it got to where it is today!
1866 :: Chisholm Trail Began Outside Present-Day Cuero Cuero is named for "Cuero Creek". Cuero is Spanish for "rawhide". The Spanish called it Arroyo del Cuero or Creek of the Rawhide. This was a reference to cattle that would get stuck in the mud along the creek bank.
1875 :: Hurricanes Destroyed Indianola, Texas; People Relocated to Cuero. Many Cuero citizens migrated to escape the hurricanes that destroyed Indianola, Texas. Indianola once rivaled Galveston as a gulf port. Some families dismantled their homes in Indianola and rebuilt them in Cuero. The first hurricane hit on September 15, 1875. The town was full of visitors attending a trial that was a result of the Taylor-Sutton Feud. Fatalities were estimated at 150 to 300. Only eight buildings were left undamaged by the storm. 
1912 :: Turkey Trot Parade. The Turkey Trot, evolved into present-day Turkeyfest. Traveling salesmen from the north began watching with great interest the large flocks of turkeys driven on foot to the Cuero market. Two cities dubbed the Turkey Captial of The World, Worthington, Minnesota and Cuero, Texas, have an annual race between rival turkeys. Turkeyfest provides a carnival, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and much more during the three-day event held the 2nd weekend in October.
1942 :: Cuero Recorded as Largest Cattle Shipper in Texas. Cuero Livestock Commission records show Cuero as the largest state shipper of cattle in 1942 and 1943, with more than 800 train carloads exported per year. The commission, established in 1940, sold $251,750 worth of stock that same year; sales jumped to $4.7M by 1943.
1973, 1974, 1987 & 2018 :: State Champs, Gobbler Football. The Cuero Gobblers led the way to the state championship in 3A football. This was in 1973 with a 21-7 victory over Mount Pleasant. They would go on to win state another three years in 1974 and 1987 and Class 4A, Division II state final in 2018.
2000 :: Christmas in the Park established; an ad hoc committee of the Cuero Development Corp. The six-week driving tour of 300 lighted scenes attracts over 100,000 visitors annually.
2004 :: Cuero Became a Preserve America Community, a White House initiative that encourages community efforts to preserve and enjoy priceless cultural and natural heritage. Cuero became a Preserve America Community for its tireless efforts to maintain our history and heritage.
2013 :: Main Street Program. The Cuero Main Street Program was re-certified, having previously being certified from 1985-1990; Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum Opens. After being renovated in the original 1903 Knights of Pythias building, the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum opened its doors in November.
2014 :: The Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas opened its doors.
2015 :: Cuero Certified as a Scenic City. Cuero received a Silver-level Scenic City upgraded to Gold level Certification in 2017 by Scenic Texas for 2015-2020 and then from 2020-2025.
2021 :: Cuero continues to grow and thrive with new businesses coming to town, including Brookshire Brothers, opening a 40,000 sq. ft. grocery store.
2023 :: The Amherst Group, LLC (“Amherst” or “Company”), purchased a closed textile factory in Cuero, Texas in 2021 to launch its first StudioBuilt manufacturing facility. Revitalizing this facility will create over 250 manufacturing jobs and produce hundreds of high-quality homes each year. Amherst plans to invest over $12 million (USD) in the Cuero factory, which will enable it to produce over 600 new housing units every year. Amherst will annually place hundreds of units from this factory in municipalities across Texas and neighboring states.
2022-2023 :: Downtown Cuero experiences a tremendous growth spurt with several buildings currently undergoing rehabilitation. New businesses have opened: AlphaLyfe Nutrition, West End Boutique, Bud & Sissy’s Liquor Store, 5D Tavern, Southern Roots Hair Salon, June's Pearl's & Cuero Seafood and Grill.
2024 :: W. Main Street continues to prosper with 114, 115 and 121-123 W. Main currently under restoration, to include leasable space: (2) first floor at 3,300 sq. ft., (2) second-story apartments at approx. 1,500 sq. ft, (1) 1,600 sq. ft. building with a drive-thru; 2-story approx. 4,000 sq. ft.; (1) additional first floor space with approx. 2,000 sq. ft. with an entry from Railroad Street. 
To date:: Throughout the Pandemic, Cuero held fast to promote the continued stability of Downtown businesses with new advertising opportunities on social media: Cuero Retail Options, Cuero Food Options and Cuero Downtown Farmers' Market Vendors pages. Join us for Turkeyfest, the 2nd weekend in October, drive through our award winning Christmas in the Park from Nov-Jan., create family memories at Christmas in Downtown, the 2nd weekend in December and enjoy our monthly Downtown Farmer's Market on Main, 4th Saturdays, March-Oct. under our outstanding Market Pavilion. Our Downtown boutiques, restaurants & museums are a great experience and will show you why Cuero is the place for setting roots and reaching for the stars!