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History in
a Pecan Shell
Established in
1899
Located on a spur from the New York, Texas and Mexican Railway in
1899, Shanghai was planned to become an actual town like Pierce's
Station (later Pierce,
Texas). Abel H. "Shanghai" Pierce had contracted with the state
of Texas for convicts to clear the land for the proposed town. The
spur was built to bring in supplies and men.
Although a cotton gin was built and prisoner's quarters erected, Shanghai
and another planned town named Borden
(after Pierce's nephew) never really got much beyond the planning
stage. |
Wharton
County 1920s map showing Shanghai just W of Wharton
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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