|
 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Once called Mount
Vernon, the change of name may have been as a result of another
post office already using that name. But Pert did have a post office,
although it was short-lived (1899-1895).
After closing, the former post office building served as both church
and school.
By 1915 Pert had a population of 200 and was thriving around a sawmill
economy. In the 1920s the town had a cotton gin and gristmill as well
as store and school.
But as the timber played out, so did Pert’s economy. By the end of
the Great Depression, the community had only twenty residents served
by a single business.
A 1992 count showed Pert to have 35 people, but it returned to a count
of twenty in the year 2000.
Photographer's Note:
"The only structure remaining of Pert is this church. I didn't
see a cemetery." - Barclay
Gibson
See Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church
Historical Marker › |
 |
Historical
Marker Text
Mount
Vernon United Methodist Church
Early denominational
records indicate that this congregation was in existence as a mission
church as early as 1880. In 1896, A. L. and Susanna Herrington donated
one acre to the county to be used for a free school. A one-room school
building was erected on the site, on Walnut Creek twelve miles north
of Palestine
, and also served as a church meeting place. The community was known
as Mount Vernon, and the Methodist church assumed that name, also.
The one-room building was moved in 1907 two miles north of its original
location, and two rooms were added to the structure for the growing
school. The congregation continued to meet in the building until 1913,
when this site, across the road from the school building, was deeded
to the Mount Vernon Methodist Episcopal Church, South. A sanctuary
was completed the same year. The church has maintained active programs
over the years, and has served as a training ground for many young
ministers and student pastors from nearby Lon Morris College. For
over one hundred years, the Mount Vernon Methodist Church has served
as a center for its rural community.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 |
 |
1907 Postal Map
showing Pert in NE Anderson
County
NE of Palestine
(Above "O" in ANDERSON)
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| 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. |
|
|
HOME
