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History in
a Pecan Shell
Present-day Bristol
was settled in the 1840s and was first known as Brockville to
honor local resident Joshua W. Brock. It is not recorded what he did
to win his distinction, but it is assumed he was worthy. (Note
to future historians, please note why or for what reason(s) a person
became the community's namesake.)
Unofficially, the town was also once known as Heelstring for
its (alleged) addiction to dancing. This lighthearted suggestion was
quickly forgotten and it is just as well, for it would've been quickly
rejected by the famously no-nonsense postal authorities.
In the 1860s, Bristol was lucky enough to be home to the industrious
Sparkman Family. The Sparkmans built a steam operated gin as well
as a sawmill and gristmill. By 1870, the town was awash with ginned
cotton, lumber and grist. Sparkman lumber built the community school
and church, and in 1872, it was used for the town's post office which
had been granted earlier that year.
Bristol had 200 residents by 1890 who were served by around six businesses.
It reached its peak in 1933 with 300 people but then a decline set
in, leaving just 200 people to be counted for the 1950 census. It
fell below 200 in the mid-1960s and by 1972 it had declined to just
94 where it remained through the 2000 census. The population according
to 2010 US Census was 668 |
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
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