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EAST
BERNARD, TEXAS
Wharton County,
Texas Gulf Coast
29° 31' 52" N, 96° 4' 16" W (29.531111, -96.071111)
TX Hwy 60 and U.S. 90A
West side of the San Bernard River
15 Miles N of Wharton the
county seat
ZIP code 77435
Area code 979
Population: 2,342 Est. (2019)
2,272 (2010) 1,729 (2000) 1,544 (1990)
East Bernard, Texas Area Hotels › Wharton
Hotels |
Main Street (Alternate
Hwy 90) in East Bernard
Photo Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2010 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Although
the town's name is East Bernard, it's now on the west side of the
river. Around 1850 settler Jethro Spivi built his house on the east
side and the name stuck. The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway
arrived shortly before the Civil War and a bridge and depot were built.
The depot, named Bernard Station, was on the east side of the river,
but relocated to the other side in 1869, forming the nucleus of the
future town. A post office was granted in 1866, although the town
was officially known as East Bernard until 1874.
In the mid-1890s the town had a population of 150, with a steam-powered
cotton gin, gristmill, and telegraph office. The first school was
built in 1888 with a more permanent brick building constructed in
1912. Riverside Hall was a popular attraction for music and dancing
in the late 20s. In 1956 nearby communities of Bernard Prairie, Lissie,
Muldoon and Nottawa had their school consolidated with East Bernard's
ISD. |
East Bernard,
Texas Landmarks
Photo gallery |
"The
1925 Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard. It is the oldest
Catholic church in continuous use in Wharton County."
- Terry
Jeanson, 2010 photo |
Old holding cell
in East Bernard, north of the railroad tracks
Photo
Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2010
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