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History in
a Pecan Shell
Founded on the banks of Red Deer Creek in 1887, the town later moved
to be on the route of the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railroad. The town
was platted by the St. Louis Land Company and the company's chief
promoter was from Mendota, Illinois (which is why it may sound familiar).
The plan was to lure farmers from fertile Missouri to the greener
pastures of the Texas
Panhandle. Some people made the journey and brought their families.
One hundred residents were served by all the essentials, including
a post office, school, church, and store. A lumberyard provided material
for increased growth.
But the proximity of Canadian,
the county seat, cast an economic shadow over growth. Mendota did
become a center for grain and cattle, but not much more. The sandy
soil was frequently washed away by floods, isolating the town and
the farmers got discouraged and moved on. The post office held on
until 1944 but the writing was on the wall and by the end of the 1940s,
only the school was left.
Directions:
Inquire in Canadian
the county seat |
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Hemphill
County
1940s map showing Mendota,
Red Deer Creek & Panhandle and Santa Fe Railroad
From Texas state map #4335
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 recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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