|
Francitas Texas
Depot
Photo
courtesy W.R. Joines and Carol Gibbs
More Texas Depots
|
History in
a Pecan Shell
The community
was named by railroad employees, according to the Handbook of Texas,
after a number of French families established a community here in
the 1890s. Town lots went on sale in 1909 and the town seemed to have
a bright future. Lafayette Ward (the namesake of nearby La
Ward, Texas) bought additional acreage the following year and
in 1911 a post office was granted under the name Francitas. It became
a stop on the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway in 1914 and
had all the essential businesses, including a weekly newspaper, and
a telephone connection.
Although early population figures aren't available, the town's high-water
mark seems to have been 1940 when 300 people called Francitas home.
Over the years the population has risen and fallen, reaching a low
of 30 in the late 1980s. It has since rebounded to 143 for the 2000
Census. |
Joines Brothers
General Merchandise
Photo
courtesy Albina Joines and Carol Gibbs
More Texas Stores |
| 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
