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History in
a Pecan Shell
The community
had originally been in Bexar
County prior to 1869. It was established around 1860 when the
community was named Wright, Texas. The current name is the
Spanish word for "skulls.” The opening of the post office in 1885
required the change of name. The town only had a population of 20
and at that time the community’s mail came from San
Antonio.
All of that changed with the arrival of the railroad (the San Antonio
and Aransas Pass Railway, aka the SAAP) in 1886. The population increased
and businesses opened. By 1892 the population had increased ten fold
to 250 and Calaveras had most essential businesses, including three
brickyards and a new hotel.
It reached its population high-water mark in 1900 with 369 residents.
The post office closed its doors in 1925 and the railroad
demoted the town to a flag stop. After WWII,
the town was reduced to a single business, although they have kept
the same population estimate for the last 60 years (100 residents). |
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Photographer's
Note:
Could not get into the cemetery because of a locked fence and a huge,
vicious dog. Although the town is spelled "Calaveras", the nearby
creek is spelled "Calavaras." - Terry
Jeanson, March 04, 2008 |
Calaveras Creek
and Calaveras Lake
The creek, from
which the town gets its name, rises in Bexar
County, south of the town of Martinez. The mouth of the creek
meets the San Antonio River, one mile SW of town and Calaveras Lake
was formed when the creek was dammed near Elmendorf.
Lake Calaveras appears on the state map, while the town does not. |
Old bridge over
the San Antonio River, just south of Calaveras, TX
Photo
courtesy Terry
Jeanson, March 2008 |
| 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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