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History in
a Pecan Shell
The town dates
from the 1850s and a post office opened in the last years of that
decade through 1866. After the Civil War new settlers arrived and
the community chose another site some four miles to the SW. A new
post office (same name) opened its doors in 1879. Things were peaceful
with few occurrences and little drama. In fact, in the early 1890
there were only twenty five residents. How much drama could twenty-five
people generate?
In 1910, as the railroad approached, landowner W.D. McDonald donated
land one mile east so that the town might secure contact with the
rest of the world. The town exploded (figuratively). Suddenly the
town had a bank, hotel, saloon, cotton gin and even a newspaper to
report what was going on at the hotel, bank, gin, and saloon. The
population swelled to sixty-five people who had their choice of two
churches to attend. Children were given no choice and had to attend
the only school. The post office closed its doors for the last time
in 1942 and schoolchildren started attending Bronte
schools. The last population figures came from the 50s and 60s when
around 50 people still lived there. These souls drifted away until
none were left. |
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Coke
County 1940s map showing
Fort Chadbourne the town
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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