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History in
a Pecan Shell
As the Alabama
and Coushatta tribes began entering the region in the late 18th century,
the site became their principal village - since both The Coushatta
Trace and the Alabama Trace passed through. Just west of the Liberty
/ Nacogdoches Road. In 1834, Colonel Peter Elias Bean applied for
a land grant from the Mexican government in 1834 and was granted land
which included Peach Tree Village.
During the Texas Revolution, the Indians were neutral, but helped
refugees escaping from Mexican forces. After the revolution, an influx
of settlers changed the village from a predominant Indian community
into an Anglo majority. As businesses opened (including a post office
- see canceled postmark)
the Alabamas moved south east to a new placer called Fenced-in Village.
When the Trinity and Sabine Railroad crossed Tyler
County in 1883, the railroad went two miles east, forming the
town of Chester and causing the relocation
of all business and almost all residents. Peach Tree Village became
virtually abandoned.
Temple-Eastex Inc. has, in recent years, donated just over 22 acres
of what had been the Peach Tree Village site into a nondenominational
youth camp. |
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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. |
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