Located on the DeWitt-Lavaca County line on land granted by Mexico in 1835 to settler John May, Yoakum was a cattle gathering area for the Chisholm Trail. With the coming of the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad in 1887, it became a transportation center. It was named for rail official B.F. Yoakum and was incorporated in 1889. Its industries included beef, leather, and a canning plant.