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History in
a Pecan Shell
Argenta dates from
1903 when Oklahoman Richard B. Bomar relocated here and improved the
land. He wrote to the folks back home, describing the area and before
long a community formed. The original post office dates from 1907
when it opened under the name of Ego, Texas. Perhaps fearful
of becoming known as Egoists, the townspeople renamed their town Argenta
(no explanation available) in 1910.
The population in the mid 1920s was estimated at 50 and the residents
were engaged in farming cotton,
their livelihood back in Oklahoma. Despite the “importation” of a
gin from Oklahoma, declining prices and the boll
weevil depressed the cotton
market and the town declined accordingly. The post office closed in
’26 and the town’s store closed the following year.
By 1940 very little was left. The school merged with those in Mathis
in 1945 and today is used as a community center. |
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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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