In 1877 the Nelius Family settled here at Coushatte in Bellville, Texas.  They farmed cotton and raised cattle.  Horses were used in the fields until 1948.  Then in the 1950  Trenckmann Nelius began to raise chickens and eggs.  Cattle raising was still practiced, along with farming maize to provide food for the chickens.  In 1973, Trenckmann and Margie Nelius started  the Coushatte Recreation Ranch with only 24 hookups.  Margie named the campground "Coushatte Recreaction Ranch" after the Coushatte Indians that thrived on this very land long ago.

There is a Indian Mound on the ranch, and many arrow heads have been found there.  

Trenckmann and Margie had five children, three son Fritz, Wayne, and Howard.  And two daughters Gail and Margie.

Howard and His wife Pamela Nelius now own and operate Coushatte Recreation Ranch, they have three children, one daughter Savannah.  And two sons Aaron and Alexander