|
|
History in
a Pecan Shell
The
town took it's name for a camp of Texas Rangers stationed there in
the mid 1850s. Settlers had been there previously, but Indian attacks
curtailed settlement - hence the need for the Rangers.
During the Civil War, Confederate troops protected the settlers (a
benefit not enjoyed by too many Texas towns). The community was McCulloch's
main settlement until 1876 when Brady
was made the county seat. A post office was granted to the town that
same year. The first reported population was 250 in 1884. The town's
decreasing role in McCulloch county was hammered home with the arrival
of the railroad. Brady
waxed as Camp San Saba waned. The post office managed to hang on through
the Depression - but closed shortly after. From a population of 180
in 1925, it declined to a mere fifty in 1939. The 1990 figure was
36 - and today it's anyone's guess.
Camp San Saba
Today
|
Site of Camp
San Saba Centennial Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2006 |
Centennial Marker
:
Site of Camp
San Saba
Here was stationed,
1862-1864, Captian W. G. O'Brien's Company of mounted volunteers a
unit of the frontier regiment organized to protect the frontier against
Indians. The regiment in 1864 became the Forty-sixth Texas Cavalry
in the Confederate Army. |
McCulloch
County 1907 Postal Map showing Camp San Saba
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 vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
|
|