ERA, TEXAS

Cooke County, Central Texas North

33° 29' 43" N, 97° 17' 17" W (33.495278, -97.288056)
Highway 51 and FM 922
12 Miles SW of Gainesville the county seat
About 30 Miles NW of Denton
Population: 400 est. (2010) 200 (2000, 1990)

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Era Fire Station
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

History on a Pinhead

Settled in the 1850s, the town is reportedly named in honor of Era Hargrave, daughter of one of the earlier settlers. The town began in 1878 with six acres of land donated by Judge J. M. Lindsay for school purposes.

Robert Ewing Thomason, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, mayor of El Paso, member of Congress, and federal judge is Era's most famous son.

Era historical marker at the fire station
FM 922 in Era
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

Historical Marker

The Town of ERA

Located in a fertile farming region, Era was settled in the 1870s. Merchant J. N. Gist (1827-1893) platted the townsite. The post office was opened in 1881 and named for Era Hargroves (1875-1880), daughter of an early resident; the village soon had a blacksmith shop, cotton gin, hotel, several stores, and three churches. Era Institute was chartered in 1897 with primary through college level classes. Among the town's prominent citizens was Robert E. Thomason (1879-1973), U.S. Congressman and Federal Judge. Era won first place in the Texas Community Improvement Program in 1973.
(1978)

Lieberman Broadcasting ERA Tower
7 miles to the west
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

Photographer's Note:
The picture of the tower is the Lieberman Broadcasting ERA tower, which is the tallest structure in the state of Texas at 2000 feet. It is named for the town but is actually closer to Rosston. - Mike Price, October 14, 2007

United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

Era United Methodist Church sign
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007
More Texas Churches

Era TX - Cover with cancelled 1958 postmark

Era, TX 1958 canceled postmark
Cover courtesy of Dan Whatley Collection

Take a road trip

dadf, Texas Nearby Towns:
Gainesville the county seat
Denton
See Cooke County
Denton County

Central Texas North

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