1859:

America -- and the world -- was entering the Industrial Revolution. Whale oil was rapidly diminishing as industry required more and different types of fuel. In 1859 the first oil well in America was drilled near Titusville, PA. The oil boom in Texas was several years off, but the world stage for mass consumption of petroleum products was set.

Texas seceded from the Union effective March 2, 1861 and remained part of the Confederacy until the Civil War ended on April 9, 1865.

1871:

On April 17, 1871 the Texas Legislature established the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and declared that it be a branch of The University of Texas. A 9-member Board of Directors for A&M had their first meeting on June 1, 1875 in Bryan, Texas.