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The
former Baxter school, now the Baxter Community Center
Photo Courtesy Erik
Whetstone, 7-04 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Settled prior to
the Civil War, Baxter later (1900) became a stop on the Texas and
New Orleans Railroad. A post office was open briefly (1901-1912) and
the town gave every indication it would thrive.
But like many towns it was cursed by its proximity to a county
seat. By the end of WWII,
only two businesses were in operation and the population was a mere
56. The former Baxter school became a community center and the population
from 1950 to 2000 was a mere 20 persons. |
The
door of the old schoo house (1907-1943)
now a community center
Photo
courtesy Dustin
Martin, February 2017 |
Sunday
drives in and around Athens:
Athens:
Where the hamburger was invented -
(From Bob Bowman's East Texas Sunday Drives)
Athens, New York, Texas Cheesecakes, LaRue, Brownsboro, Edom, Purtis
Creek State Park, Eustace, Mabank, Gun Barrel City, Payne Springs,
Caney City, Malakoff and Cross Roads.
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Henderson
County 1920s Map showing Baxter East of Athens
From Texas state map #10749
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. |
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