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History in
a Pecan Shell
The St. Louis and
Southwestern Railroad created Jester as a stop when they built through
the area in the 1880s.
Originally named Switch by the railroad, when a post office
was opened in 1899 it was renamed to honor George Taylor Jester, a
local boy who rose to become Lt. Governor of the State.
A school had opened by 1906. The post office went through some turmoil.
Closed in 1909, it reopened in 1923 before closing for good sometime
after 1930.
By the time the Great Depression arrived, Jester was down to just
10 people. A store and church remained, but they too closed after
WWII. The school
merged with nearby Purdon.
The town was dropped from maps and whatever homes there are in the
area are now scattered. |
Navarro
County 1907 postal map showing Jester (below "V" in
"NAVARRO")
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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