|
|
The Florence
Police Station
Photo courtesy Hannalore Lyons, September, 2004 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Briefly called Brooksville, the community dates
from the early 1850s. The name change came about with the opening
of the post office in 1857. The first postmaster was from Florence,
Alabama although Florence Brooks, the daughter of the town's first
merchant is also considered to be the source of the name.
After the Civil War, wheat, cotton
and cattle were the
town's economic mainstays, and by the 1890s the town was prospering
with the stores, mills, hotels, and lodges typical of a central Texas
town on the rise. Untypical businesses included a stone quarry and
a cheese factory.
A short line railroad (the Bartlett and Western Railway) was in operation
from 1912 until 1935.
Its population reached 1,000 people - just before the Great Depression
- when it fell below 500. It has, in the last few years, surpassed
the previous record. |
| 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. |
|
|
HOME
Texas
Gulf Coast
East
Texas
Central
Texas North
Central
Texas South
Texas
Panhandle
South
Texas
Texas
Hill Country
West
Texas
Texas
Ghost Towns
Texas
Counties
