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History in
a Pecan Shell
Indian Gap's name
came about when it was noticed that the Comanches came through
this gap in the mountains when they would raid the settlers. We have
to admire the stoicism and powers of observation of the settlers,
who you would think would be fleeing in terror, rather than noting
the route of their enemies.
1857 is the date the Handbook of Texas gives for the first
settlement of the area. A Mr. Hawley Gerrells was credited with opening
the first post office in his home, which soon became a store. Church
services were held there as well, and it was said to be a social center
of the community, whatever that meant in the mid -1800s.
A man by the name of H.A. Shipman farmed the area for several years
before buying out Gerrells' store and post office in 1889. Although
the community never reached a population rivaling the colossus of
Goldthwaite
or Hamilton, nonetheless,
it had a hotel, and a weekly newspaper as well as the usual businesses
essential for 19th century life.
The school closed in 1959 (see forum
below) and the post office shut its doors in 1972. The estimated head
count in 2010 was 27 people. |
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Night photo of
the abandoned Indian Gap School
Photo courtesy Gary Castillo, 2013 |
School interior
Photo courtesy Gary Castillo, 2013 |
| The 1913 Indian
Gap School |
| Photo courtesy
Jason
Penney, whose grandfather and other relatives once attended
the Indian Gap school |
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Indian Gap School
Photo courtesy Bill Rigney, July 2012
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Indian Gap School
demolished
Photo courtesy Scott Bedgood, October 2020
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Indian Gap School
demolished
Photo courtesy Scott Bedgood, October 2020
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Another view
of Indian Gap today
Faded lettering reads:
Carl Reinert - dealer in General Merchandise
Photo courtesy Jason
Penney |
Indian Gap,
1920s
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
More Texas
Churches |
Indian Gap Gulf
Gas Station
Converted from Comanche's
First Railroad Depot
Jimmy
Dobson Photo, September 2017 |
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Indian Gap,
Texas Forum
Subject:
Indian Gap
Indian gap Texas is where most my family is from. There is a date
as to when the Indian gap school was closed. In the article it said
1950. The school closed in 1959. I know because when I was 5 years
old visiting my grandmother who lived in the house that is just
across a field from the school, I played with some kids who attended
that school. My family is buried in the cemetery there. I have wonderful
memories of my visits as a little girl. Tommie's store and filling
station was opened and the post office was also still there until
almost 1970, I think. In the early 60s they had the old fashion
switchboard operator where all your calls went through the switchboard,
and my grandmother had an old phone that hung on the wall of her
dining room that you had to turn a handle on the side to get the
operator. I love visiting there even now, because I have such wonderful
childhood memories. - Susan Deluca, July 16, 2011
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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 vintage or recent photos, please contact
us. |
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