EMBERSON, TEXAS

History in a Pecan Shell

John Emberson is widely regarded as being the first settler here (1824). It wasn’t until 1878 when a post office appeared that Emberson started appearing on maps. By the late 1870s, Emberson had a population of 150 and was an important cotton-shipping point.

At this time the town had two doctors, a general store, a blacksmith and three churches.

In 1890 the town reported 175 residents and two new stores appeared. But that seems to have been Emberson’s peak year. The population dropped to 100 in 1892, despite several new business openings, including an ice house and drug store.

The population increased to 133 by 1904 but the post office closed the following year. Through most of the 1930s, the town had four businesses. After WWII it dropped to a population of 50 and only a single business remained.

Emberson had 75 residents for the 1970 census and 80 residents for 1990. That figure was used again for the 2000 count.

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