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A mural on the
drug store depicting the town
Photo
courtesy Teri
Brown |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Named
after John T. Nixon when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio
Railway crossed his ranch in 1906. Nixon sold lots on the site and
within months, the new town had a gin, barber, bank, butcher, store,
doctor and a lumberyard. Originally named Nixonville with the
opening of the post office in 1906, it was shortened two years later.
That same year the residents and school of neighboring Rancho, Texas
moved to Nixon with their church following in 1911. By 1914 there
were 1,300 people with the previously mentioned businesses along with
a newspaper, telephone service and at least two more stores.
Nixon's population shrank to 1,037 in 1930, but by 1940 it had increased
to more than 1,800. Railroad service to Nixon ceased in the 1970s. |
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Nixon, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Nixon, Texas
My mother, who is currently 94 years old, was brought to Nixon in
1914, at age 3. She resided there untill 1921. Her aunt was Dr.
Ella Ware who was the first female graduate of the University of
Texas Medical School. Dr. Ware practiced her entire career in Stockdale
and delivered most all of the children in Wilson County, and many
in the Nixon area during those years. Mother's father, Harry W.
Seely was general manager for Mr. Campbell's lumber yard (I believe
that Mr. Campbell was also the town banker). Her dad also was proprietor
of his own grocery store in downtown Nixon ("H.W. Seely Grocery"
--"Staples and Fancy Foods").
She has many wonderful stories (and pictures) of Nixon and the surrounding
areas. Among my mom's abundant memories is one involving the very
first airplane to ever land in Nixon (actually, it was forced down
by a mechanical failure). She says that school was let out so the
children could go and see the "flying machine" and to be able to
talk to the aviator. She currently resides in Leon Valley (N.W.
San Antonio) and will celebrate her 95th birthday this fall. She
would love to revisit the old hometown and to participate in the
centennial happenings. She is in good health and her mind is still
very sharp. She has so many interesting tales to relate of that
wonderful part of Texas. I think that she would be a most valuable
asset to your centennial celebration. Thank you. - Jack Steen, Myrtle
Creek, Oregon, July 20, 2006
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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 recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
Gonzales
County 1907 postal map showing Nixon as Nixonville
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
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