CLARK, TEXAS

Texas Ghost Town
In NE Liberty County, Texas Gulf Coast / East Texas

On State Highway 146
5 miles S of Rye
N of Liberty the county seat
65 miles NW of Beaumont
Population: Unknown

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History in a Pecan Shell

The land that became Clark was once (1849s) a part of Sam Houston's plantation. The Grand Cane plantation had river access on the Trinity and it was here in 1846 that the Grand Cane post office opened in 1846. In 1869 the post office remained, but was renamed Ironwood (a popular name for Bois d'Arc trees). The post office served the mailing needs of 76 families in 1870. The "town" was renamed Clark in 1900 by the postmaster named Fields, and history seems to have forgotten the reason for the renaming.

Being East Texas, the region was dense with pristine forests, but as the lumber companies approached the town, roads were cut and a logging camp established. In the 1920s, Clark became a voting precinct. Clark doesn't seem to have ever formed a distinct commercial center. In 1990 it remained on maps. Tangible proof of the town under its various names are presented here in the form of postmarks from the John Germann Collection and maps from the Texas General Land Office.

Grand Cane, TX - Liberty County post office info

Grand Cane, TX - Liberty County 1867 postmark

Cover canceled with Grand Cane, TX 1867 postmark
Courtesy The John J. Germann Collection

Ironwood, TX - Liberty County post office info

Ironwood, TX - Liberty County 1869 postmark

Cover canceled with Ironwood, TX 1869 postmark
Courtesy The John J. Germann Collection

Liberty County 1882 map showing Ironwood
From Texas state map #2134
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Clark, TX - Liberty County post office info

Clark, TX - Liberty County 1936 postmark

Cover canceled with Clark, TX 1936 postmark
Courtesy The John J. Germann Collection

Liberty County 1907 postal map showing Clark
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Liberty County 1920s map showing Clark
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Take a road trip

Clark, Texas Nearby Towns:
Liberty the county seat
Houston
See Liberty County
San Jacinto County | Hardin County

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