|
Leander
United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Leander began life as a community named Bagdad
– located a mile west of what was soon to become Leander. Bagdad was
bypassed by the railroad
and as merchants moved to the tracks, a new name was required. Thankful
for a connection with the outside world, the people chose railroad
official Leander Brown as the town’s namesake.
Lots went on sale in July of 1882. The Masons built their local lodge
to accommodate the local schoolchildren until 1899 when a high school
was built – financed by the selling of stock. Leander was content
living in relative seclusion through the late 1960s. Austinites viewed
the town as breathing room and subdivisions started appearing. Now
included in the Greater Austin
area, Leander’s population doubled from 3,400 in 1990 to 7,600 by
the 2000 census. In 2018, the population estimate was 56,111. |
Leander Texas
historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Historical
Marker:
Leander
Leander grew from
the once thriving town of Bagdad,
founded in 1854 (1 mi. W). when the Austin & Northwestern Railroad
bypassed Bagdad in 1882,
a new town was surveyed and named for railroad official Leander Brown
(1817-89). Homes and businesses from the older community quickly moved
to the new site along the rail line.The post office was brought here
from Bagdad in 1882. The
school started here in 1893 has grown into the largest school district
in Williamson County.
Originally in a rural area, Leander had boomed in recent years due
to Highland Lakes
development.
1975 |
Leander Presbyterian
Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
"Webster
Massacre Centennial Tablet Marker is located in Leander on SH(NOT
US) 183 about 2 blocks southeast of the intersection with FM 2243."
-
Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 photo |
Leanderthal Lady
historical marker in Leander
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Leander Presbyterian
Church Sesquecentennial marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
| 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 or recent photos, please contact
us. |
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