|
Rio
Vista City Limit POP 509 (1980 census)
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2013 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
In 1801, long before
Independence, Phillip
Nolan, an American horse-trader, was killed near here. Nolan had
made several forays into Spanish Texas to capture wild horses. A marker
three miles south of town on highway 174 commemorates the event. Nearby
Nolan River was named after him.
Anadarco Indians occupied the area during the 1830s and discouraged
settlement until 1849 when Henry Briden, his wife and father-in-law
came into the area and built the first cabin in Johnson
County.
First known as Grange Hall, and then Kimbell, the town
was bypassed by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad who planed
to lay their rails a mile east.
As Rio Vista, the new town drained the populations of the nearby hamlets
of Derden, Nathan, Hart, and Sullivan.
By 1900 Rio Vista had all the commercial components to make a town
thrive, but a fire in 1914 destroyed many of the businesses.
State Highway 174 was rerouted in the mid-1950s and it gave Rio Vista
an economic shot in the arm.
The population was just 541 for the 1990 census, which grew to 873
for 2010.
See Rio Vista Landmarks / photo
Gallery |
 |
Rio
Vista Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2013 |
Historical Marker:
(on the Pavilon Square, Rio Vista)
Rio Vista
Located in an area
of Johnson County's
earliest settlement, Rio Vista was founded on the railroad in 1885.
The townsite, which affords views of both Nolan River and Mustang
Creek, was given the spanish name for "River View". The post office
that was established in Rio Vista in 1885 was discontinued in 1889,
but was reinstated in 1890.
By 1896, the community boasted 175 residents, eight stores, a lumber
yard, steam gin, and a steam corn sheller. Rio Vista's public school
system also began that year. Telephone lines were installed during
the early years of the 20th century, when three passenger trains were
arriving daily at the depot.
The thriving economy was shattered, however, by a fire in 1914 that
destroyed 24 buildings. Many of the businesses were hurt, and the
rebuilding process was slow. Cotton
sustained the economy during that time, and dairy farming later became
important.
Just as the coming of the railroad had initiated growth in Rio Vista
during the 1880s, the building of State Highway 174 through town in
the 1950s brought a boost to the economy. From its beginnings as a
railroad community, Rio Vista has been an important part of Johnson
County history.
1985 |
Rio Vista,
Texas Landmarks
Photo Gallery
|
Johnson
County 1920s map showing Rio Vista S of Cleburne
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
us. |
|
|
HOME
