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Chico Texas about
1908
Photo courtesy Edward Clark |
History
in a Pecan Shell
In a state filled with towns named after Southern, Eastern and even
Northern towns, Chico is one of the few named after a Western town
- in this case Chico, California.
According to the Handbook of Texas - J. T. Brown moved to the
area in the mid-1870s and opened a store.
A church and school were opened and a post office was granted in 1882.
The railroad (the Rock Island) reached Chico and it became an important
cotton shipping point.
Oil was discovered near Chico in the early 1940s and the economy diversified
from being totally agricultural.
Chico also produced crushed stone and at one time the town had four
large gravel plants.
Photographer's Note:
"A nice town to visit." - Barclay
Gibson |
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The Siddons-Barnes
Log Cabin
This is a case
of practicality. This tiny (256 square foot) cabin is believed to
have been built in the 1870s serving as both schoolhouse and church
before being bought by a Doctor Siddon in 1883. Siddon and his wife
enclosed the cabin by building other rooms around it and when it was
sold in 1918 it became the property of a family named Barnes. (See
Buildings
Inside Buildings)
In the 1970s when the added rooms were being demolished, the cabin
nucleus was found and saved. It was moved while the lot was cleared
and then moved back to this site in 1987. |
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Rear
view of the cabin.
TE photo February 2004 |
Siddons-Barnes
log cabin historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2015 |
The
Old Drugstore
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2015 |
Chico, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Chico Texas photo
This is photo of what is claimed to be Chico Texas about 1908, I
found it in with some other old photos of a friend David Piker,
it had been given to him by "Jackie Roberson' who may have lived
on or had a Cattle farm near there. David was a very giving person.
Thank you. - Edward Clark, La Mesa Ca, June 11, 2006
Subject:
BARNES/SIDDON
Just wanted to say Thank you for this article! It was forward to
me by my daughter in law. In 1955 I married Roger Barnes, changing
my last name from Siddons to Barnes. We are now planning a trip
to see Chico, Texas and look up the Siddon/Barnes sight. Maybe we
will find out some family history too. - Nancy {Siddons} Barnes,
June 04, 2006
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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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