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The
church in Shady Grove
TE Photo, August 2005 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Shady Grove sits at a former crossroads where the Austin-Lampasas
road and Burnet-Belton road crossed the Middle Fork of the San Gabriel
River.
The community was first known as Russell Gabriel (1850s), then Middle
Fork (of the Gabriel). The name Shady Grove was later chosen and named
for a grove of live oak trees (still there) where they started a cemetery
and built a school.
In 1896 J. H. Kleen moved his family from Williamson County and built
a cotton gin. Kleen also helped build the town's two church buildings.
A Masonic Lodge was chartered in 1875 and met until 1920. The post
office for the community went under the name Tamega.
In 1877 A. M. Barton deeded land for a school, church, and cemetery.
The Strickling Baptist Church changed their name in 1907 to the Shady
Grove Baptist Church but closed their doors in 1958. The Presbyterian
Church (formed in 1878) transferred to the Bertram Presbyterian Church
in 1966. The Shady Grove School merged with Bertram's
school in 1942. In 1958 a cemetery association was formed and ten
years later they secured title to the land and community center, which
is still used for annual homecomings. |
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Shady
Grove School
TE Photor, August 2005 |
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Church
and Shady Grove Community marker
TE Photo, August 2005 |
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Old
mail box
TE Photo, August 2005 |
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Texas
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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