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History in
a Pecan Shell
Named in honor
of a judge named Merritt, the name was shortened over time. The honor
was bestowed by Dr. O. Murcheson, who is credited as being the town
founder in the late 1860s / early 1870s.
A post office was granted in the 1884 – two years before the arrival
of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad. In the 1890s Merit had
most essential business and the population was near 300. By 1917 the
number of residents had increased to an estimated 500.
By the mid 1940s the population was back to 300 and by the early 1950
it decreased further – to an estimated 185. |
Photographer's
Note:
Another of these small towns that surround a large school complex.
The schools are all named Bland, which I assume is the school district
name. Merit has three separate school complexes, one of which is a
new elementary school being built to the east of 'downtown'. - Mike
Price, August 2009 |
Merit
Cemetery on the east side of town
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, August 2009 |
Merit
Cemetery
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, August 2009 |
Hunt
County 1920s map showing Merit near Collin
County line
From Texas state map #10749
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
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