PAINT ROCK, TEXAS

Paint Rock, Texas Topics:

Originally, the town was begun a half mile west of the present location, but the mistake was found and the first buildings relocated to the present site. The year was 1879 and the name comes from the numerous ancient pictographs along the rock walls of the Concho River. The same year (1879) saw the opening of the post office.

In the mid 1880s, Paint Rock had a population around 100 and had developed into a pecan, sheep and wool shipping point.

A Presbyterian church was organized in 1881, followed by a Baptist church in 1886. They and they late-arriving (1892) Methodists shared a Union Churchbuilding until they eventually each built their own.

The first of two destructive fires occurred in 1909 (the second in 1922). This partially accounts for the incomplete courthouse square today.

It wasn’t until 1910 that the railroad arrived and by 1914, the community had its own water system and newspaper.

Despite the fires, Paint Rock reached it’s apex in 1931 with around 1,000 residents. Two years later, as the effects of the Great Depression were felt, and the population declined by half. Then, as if life wasn’t hard enough, the railroad bridge was washed out in 1936 and the town was left without a rail connection.

It returned to 800 in the early 1940s and remained there more or less through the 1950s. In 1972 it had plunged again – this time reaching a low point of just 193 residents.

The 200 census reported 320 people, making it one of Texas’ least populated county seats. (See Ten County Seats You're Not Likely to Visit)

Paint Rock, Texas Landmarks/Attractions

Former bank in Paint Rock
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2006
More Texas Banks

Paint Rock Pictographs on the Campbell Ranch

Paint Rock Chronicles:

Concho County Vintage Photos

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