|
 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
The town was
formed by populations drawn from the previously settled (1850s)
towns of Marcelina and Home Valley when the San Antonio
and Aransas Pass Railway built a switch
here in 1886.
The railroad
named the switch after San Antonian George
W. Brackenridge who was a major shareholder in the SAAP line.
A depot was built and the following year a post office named Skiles
opened nearly a mile from the tracks and across the river.
In late 1893, it was relocated closer to the depot and when Skiles
and Brackenridge merged, neither fought for their name but
compromised on naming the new post office after nearby waterfalls.
By the mid 1890s the town was thriving with all essential businesses
in place. Besides the aforementioned communities of Marcelina and
Home Valley, Falls City also drew population from nearby Polish
towns of Panna
Maria and Cestohowa.
This infusion changed the demographics of the town and Falls City
became predominantly Polish-American. In 1902 the Holy Trinity Catholic
Church was built and a Catholic school opened in 1911. This was
replaced by a larger school in the early 1930s. Falls City incorporated
in the fall of 1946.
Oil was discovered near the community and shortly thereafter (1958)
uranium was discovered. The town was split on whether or not to
continue mining. Businessmen were pro while the farmers were con.
The conflict continued for years, but by the mid-1990s the matter
appears to have been resolved. The population of 478 people has
increased slightly to the 591 reported for the 2000 census.
|
 |
| 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
