|
Virginia City
Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
In 1909 Virginia
City had big plans. The original plat even set aside land for a courthouse.
That same year an Iowa land company bought the entire site and went
about marketing it. A hotel was constructed to accommodate the hoped-for
crush of buyers. A railroad roadbed was graded in Virginia City and
is thought to have been a silent persuasive tactic (in short – a trick).
It wasn’t as bad as tying apples to Mesquite trees, but in any case
it didn’t work and within a few years the future town was already
in the past. In 2013, the town will celebrate its Centennial of Abandonment. |
Historical Marker:
FM 1731, 0.3 mi. N of CR 1234, 9
miles N of Maple,
Site of Virginia
City
Part of a land
promotion scheme begun 1908. Advertised as future metropolis by shrewd
dealers, who implied that good rains and bumper crops were typical
of region. Naive buyers were treated to tours through town, where
they saw shops, a lot reserved for the courthouse, and a roadbed for
the railroad. Town was named for wife of an early county landowner.
Although a local cowboy had remarked that Virginia City's biggest
crop was "suckers", many people bought land, only to face a ruinous
drouth, 1909-1912. Most soon moved, leaving site vacant.
(1969) |
| 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. |
|
|
HOME
