BLACK JACK, TEXAS

History in a Pecan Shell

One of several Texas communities named Black Jack, this one dates to the 1840s when Texas Revolution veteran Robert Graves Stadler arrived with his extended family. Stadler and kin were originally from South Carolina.

Noting the abundance of Black Jack Oaks, they didn't have to brainstorm for a name for the community. The trees provided cabins for homes and around the time of the Civil War, a log school was built. The town-to-be had to wait until 1875 until The Blackjack (one word) Baptist Church appeared.

Growth eluded the community for want of a store. In 1916 that problem was remedied by partners Tom Upchurch and John Gray. World War I came and went and the town reached its zenith shortly after the armistice. Although Black Jack only had a population of 100, it was enough to support two stores, a gin, church and school.

School consolidation after WWII sent Black Jack's students to nearby Troup and the last store closed in 1961. Nevertheless, the population remained at 75 in the mid-1960s. But the writing was on the wall and people moved away until there were on 47 people left to answer the 1990 census. The same number was used for the 2000 census.

Blackjack Baptist Church
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, December 2012
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