The community of Fredonia was founded by Haden Edwards, a land grantee who contracted in 1825 with the Mexican government to establish 800 families of settlers in East Texas. A later misunderstanding with Mexico caused him to organize the famous Fredonian Rebellion and flee to the U.S. in 1827 in failure. The town of Fredonia prospered, though, as an important ferry crossing and river port. The numerous structures built by residents included a brick kiln, homes and warehouses, mainly for cotton. After the Civil War, the population declined and the post office closed. Residents abandoned the town after it was bypassed by the railroad circa 1870. (1967, 2005)