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History in
a Pecan Shell
The Olmito post office opened in 1905. A station was established in
the area in 1911, when the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway
was constructed. In 1914 the community had a population estimated
at fifty, a post office, a grocery store, and a cotton gin. The next
year a school was also in operation in the town. The post office closed
in 1918 and reopened in 1925. In 1933 Olmito had a population estimated
at seventy-five and seven businesses. The population remained at seventy-five
through 1948, when there were two businesses in the area. By 1950
the town had a population of 150 and six businesses, and in 1952 the
population was 200. In 1970 the Olmito Independent School District
was consolidated with the Los Fresnos
Independent School District.
Since the 1980s Olmito has received attention because of John Lennon
Memorial Park, which is leased to the county at a dollar a year
by the McNamara brothers because Lennon "did a great deal to promote
peace and world harmony." The park holds an annual celebration in
conjunction with Earth Day and another on Lennon's birthday.
During the 1960s a colonia developed northwest of Olmito. It too was
known by the name of Olmito. In 1986 it had 274 dwellings and a population
of 1,233.
Olmito is Spanish for "little elm." |
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Cameron
County 1940s
map showing Olmito
From Texas state
map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
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Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history
and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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