Periodically, Victoria faced troublesome moments in the nineteenth century. One such episode occurred when the town was occupied by federal troops following the Civil War. After a military detachment established its headquarters in the Abraham Levi home, 403 N. Main Street, difficulties arose between the local citizens and the troops, resulting in the killing of a Victorian and the desecration of Memorial Square, Victoria’s first public cemetery, by vindictive Union soldiers. Cattle ranching had been a mainstay for Victoria from the community’s beginning. When the cattle drives from Texas to Kansas commenced in the 1860s, Victorians pushed their Longhorns up the trail to market. Among the list of Victoria County ranchers who participated was Margaret Borland, the first woman to lead a cattle drive. Several of the nineteenth century ranchers built their homes in the town of Victoria. Some of the residences that still exist are occupied by the descendants of the ranchers.
