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History
in a Pecan Shell
From a flowing
spring three miles east of its present location, the town would've
been called Sugar Hill if early settler, Jesse Morris hadn't had his
way and named it Dexter after a then-famous racehorse.
The town dates from around 1870 with the post office opening three
years later. By the early 1880s the town had an estimated 300 residents
– including an equal number (4) of both blacksmiths and doctors.
Dexter’s prosperity was threatening the dominance of Gainesville
but when the Denison and Pacific Railroad bypassed the town in favor
of Woodbine, residents were disheartened. Some even took the drastic
step of moving to Ardmore, Indian Territory.
Residents that remained voted to incorporate, but having a city government
did little to stop people from leaving. Population figures from the
late 1960s through 1990 showed about 70 residents remaining. The Dexter
Community Church is still in place as well as the town’s two
cemeteries: one north and one south.
Dexter Texas
Today
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Dexter
North Cemetery
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, February 2008 |
Dexter
North Cemetery - Woodmen of the World
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, February 2008 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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