Railroads transformed Rockwall County from a cattle county to a cotton county

Cattle ranching was the main industry in Rockwall County's early years. That changed when the Texas and Pacific Railway arrived in 1873 and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad followed in 1886. With rail access to markets, farmers switched to cotton production.

Cotton output peaked at 18,987 bales in 1930. After that, cotton declined and the county shifted toward mixed livestock and small grains. By the late 20th century, suburban residential development became the dominant land use. The agricultural origins shaped the county's layout of small towns and rural roads that are still visible today.