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Downtown Neches.
Notice the sign of "J.B. McDonald & Son"
Photo Courtesy Lori
Martin, 2005 |
History in
a Pecan shell
J. J. Davis and Murdock McDonald,
local landowners, donated the land for a townsite and depot when the
International-Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1872.
A post office was opened about the same time - listed on the post
office department rolls as "Nechesville."
Neches had a population of 100 by 1884 with a school and all essential
businesses (including two steam sawmills and a Masonic lodge).
Just after the Civil War, the nearby Stovall Academy moved into town
and was renamed the Neches Normal Institute. This later became Neches
High School.
By 1890 Neches had an estimated population of 400 people. The town
officially changed its name from Nechesville to Neches in 1892.
Neches had a population of 261 in 1900, reaching 400 in the 1920s
and 1930s. By 1939 it had reached its zenith at 900 townspeople (estimate).
Increased mobility after WWII
took a toll on the population. By 1949 it was down to just 280 and
it has declined further to a mere 111 in 1970. |
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A former gas
station in Neches.
2000 Photo Courtesy Lori
Martin |
Main street
Neches seen from the other side of the tracks.
Photo courtresy Terry
Jeanson, July 2007 |
Historical marker
for Murdoch McDonald, the founder of Neches.
Photo courtresy Terry
Jeanson, July 2007 |
Neches, Texas
Forum
Subject: Colorful
Days of Old Neches
... During the early '30's, a fire broke out across the tracks from
what is now downtown Neches. Neches used to be twice as large, but
the fire burned half the town... more
- Roxanna Posey, Canton, TX, September 06, 2006 |
| 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. |
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