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| 1901
photo found in belongings of Essie Royal (daughter of William Phillip) |
History in
a Pecan shell
In the late 1850s
two settlers named Ward Keeler and Ranse Walker settled in the area.
The community grew up around Walker's house, but it was named after
Ire, Keeler who was Ward's son. Dell (as in "Farmer in the…") was
added to make the name more pleasing.
A post office opened in 1870.
In 1880 the Texas Central Railroad came through and the town moved
from its original location to be near the tracks. The paint was hardly
dry when a flood of the Bosque River washed the town away. They rebuilt
on higher ground - the way most towns do if they're given the chance.
In 1884 the population was estimated to be thirty, but it reached
600 by 1892.
In 1931 it had 570 residents, but it slowly declined to 366 by 1960.
|
Bosque Bridge
in Iredell, Postmarked 1941
Postcard courtesy Danny
Whatley |
Iredell street
scene
Photo
Courtesy Jack Williams, 2002 |
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Forum
Subject:
G.M. Gordon Drug Company of Iredell, Texas
While I was on-line attempting to research an old business in Iredell,
I happened upon your website. I must have sat here for three hours
reading about all the little or forgotten Texas towns, none of which
I had ever heard of before. It was fascinating reading, and I'm
sure I'll go back to it.
It's really nice that someone is trying to salvage some of the old
knowledge. I myself work for a couple of historical societies out
here east of San Diego, and I am amazed at not only what has survived
the years, but at how quickly it is all disappearing. Sadly, the
new generations seem to generally have little interest or regard
for the past.
The reason I am writing is to see if you have any information on
the G.M. Gordon Drug Company of Iredell, Texas. I have a very old
Lynn's Baking Powder tin that has "Sold by" the preceeding stamped
on the lid. I would love to learn anything about Mr. Gordon, his
business (what years open, possibly a photo, etc.), and if he had
a relative named Lynn. If you have no related info, perhaps you
could steer me towards someone within the community who might. Thank
you, and keep up the good work! - Mike Kaszuba, Lakeside, CA, July
24, 2011, testsite69@cox.net
Subject:
Iredell Pioneers
My family was among the original pioneers to Iredell. I have several
pictures of homes and families. I will get these submitted. - Stan
Royal, June 29, 2011
My family lived in Iredell in the late 1800's. The family name is
Royal and my grandfather was Wm Phillip Royal married to Mary Rebecca
Pye. The Pye family also lived in Iredell at the same time. Attached
is a photo of the family home
found in belongings of Essie Royal, daughter of Wm Phillip. We believe
the home was "down by the river." My father Mack Hobart Royal and
his brother Chandler Renfro Royal were born in Iredell. - Kay Krausman
nee Royal, Anaheim Ca, June 29, 2011
Subject:
A Visit to Iredell
I had driven through Iredell several times wondering why such a
town had sprung up in the middle of nowhere, and why it died. Finally
on one trip a friend of mine and I stopped to look around. It is
really quite a picturesque town with a river at one end. Most of
the buildings are falling in except for a few. I looked in the window
of one of about three buildings that had not succumbed to the ravages
of time and saw two completely restored steam locomotives. They
weren't full size locomotives but the size you would find running
around a zoo. There was also one diesel locomotive. We walked on
down the sidewalk to the river and upon returning saw a man walking
his dog up the street. When we approached I casually asked if those
were his steam locomotives and he said, "Yes, you want to look at
them"? He withdrew some keys from his pocket and opened up for us
to take a look. They were amazing to say the least. He told us that
he had restored one to put in the Waco Zoo, but their insurance
was going to be so high because of them that they nixed the idea.
I also asked him about the town. He said that in its heyday, there
was a rail line and three cotton gins there. But as the cotton market
fell, the rail line pulled out and most of the town had died. If
you ever get a chance to stop, you should get out and walk around.
... I enjoy your website, Thanks, Jack Williams, September 08,
2002
I have lived
in Iredell for eight years now and it is still at a population of
369 and is a great little town. Our sports have gone wonderful and
the people are great. Iredell is a wonderful place you should visit.
- Breanna, 18/Sep/2002
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Written on the
back of the photo:
From left to right—
Louis A. Foster & Eva Royal Foster – with Tee as a tiny baby-they
were just married
Louis (1873-) Eva (1882-1969) Tee (1901-1953)
Charlie Foster and Eula Royal with their first born – Mamie -married
couple
Charles D (1870-1959) Eula (1881-1957) Mamie (1898-)
Emma, Essie & Effie Royal with Mary Rebecca Royal, wife of Wm Phillip
Royal
mother of all Royal children in this picture
Emma (1886-1976) Essie(1888-1974) Effie (1889-1917) Mary Rebecca (1856-1917)
Mack Hobart Royal. Wm Phillip Royal, father of Royal children,
Chandler Royal
Mack Hobart (1896-1961) William Phillip (1853-1937) Chandler Royal
(1892-1937)
Edna Mae Royal first born of Alva and Ola Royal – Ethel Royal married
couple
Edna Mae (1898=) James Alva (1877-) Leola “Ola” nee Lott (Ethel 1902-)
Italics show birth and death dates; dates not written on the photo
Note:
faded image (feet only) of young girl standing in front of the chimney
is Edna Mae Royal.-
Photo probably taken in Iredell, Bosque Co, Texas based Mack Hobart’s
age (6 yrs) and physical size in the photo as seen in photo. Family
was living in Iredell TX in 1901.
The photo is 8”x6” and mounted on stiff cardboard measuring 10”x12”.
Louis and Charles Foster, brothers, married Eva and Eula Royal, sisters.
Transcribed by Kay Krausman nee Royal, daughter of Mack Hobart Royal,
June 2011 |
| 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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