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History in
a Pecan Shell
Once known as Windmill Town, Merkel came into existence with
the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad. It was properly named
after early settler S. M. Merkel in 1881. The towns first store opened
in 1882 and a post office opened in June of 1883.
By 1885 there were 25 people calling Merkel home but five years later
this number had increased to 400. Merkel's population was served by
a Methodist church (1882), a Baptist Church (1885), Grace Presbyterian
Church (1886) and the Church of Christ (1903).
Merkels
first students were taught by Mrs. A. M. Thorntonin in the railroad
depot before a proper school was constructed in 1887. In 1887 a college
was opened but it closed after a short four years of operation. Merkels
population reached 600 by 1897.
In 1890 the Merkel Mail was first published. Merkel incorporated in
1906 with G. W. Johnson serving as the town's first mayor. The Farmers
and Merchants National Bank was organized in 1904.
Dr. Robert Grimes opened the town's first hospital in 1926 which remained
in service until the 1960s. While agriculture was the town's first
economic engine - it has shifted over the years to include oil-related
employment and work at the nearby Dyess Air Force Base.
Merkel has maintained a healthy population over the years - never
having suffered a serious decline. From 1,800 in 1933, to 2,000 in
1940, and 2,300 by 1950. |
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T&P water tank
by the railroad tracks
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, June 2010 |
Merkel City
Limit & Pop. Sign
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, June 2010 |
Merkel street
scene & water tower
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, June 2010 |
The Merkel Mail
& ghost sign
Photo courtesy Steve Johnson, May 2007 |
Merkel Events
Lord's
Acre by Mike Cox
"... Always held the Saturday night before Thanksgiving, the
event makes for a double November holiday for folks who live in and
around Mulberry Canyon and its nearest town, Merkel. ..." |
Merkel
is the hometown of
Texas Cartoonist Roger T. Moore.
See "Moore
Texas" Texas History Cartoon |
| 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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