|
|
History
in a Pecan Shell
Established as a railroad stop in 1905 on the Jasper and Eastern Railway,
the name is an amalgam of the names B. F. Bonner and R. W. Wier, employees
of the Kirby Lumber Company.
The Kirby Lumber company was eager to exploit the vast timber in the
area and a post office was granted in 1906, giving a sense of permanence
to the community even if (when) the timber played out.
From 1918 through 1924 logging operations were intense and after a
three year hiatus they resumed in 1927 until 1929. The final phase
lasted from 1932 to 1935.
The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway (later the AT&SF) bought out
the tiny Jasper and Eastern Railway in the late 1940s. Enough timber
was left to keep smaller local mills in production through the 1990s.
The town peaked in the late 40s with a population estimated to be
500. The decline in population since then has been slight – reaching
475 for the 1990 census.
See Bon Wier Historical Marker
|
|
Bon
Wier historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2010
|
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
|
|