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History in
a Pecan Shell
The earliest
settlement in the region was the establishment of Fort
Belknap three miles South, but it was abandoned decades before
Newcastle’s first settlers arrived.
The Merrill and Clark Strip Mining (Coal) Company was here around
1906 and put out the “now hiring” sign. The Wichita Falls and Southern
Railway arrived the following year from Olney
and before long coal was being shipped to Wichita
Falls.
In 1908 the old Fort Belknap
post office was moved to town and an new application was submitted
for Newcastle, Texas – after the English coal town. (“Carrying coals
to Newcastle.”) By 1909 the Newcastle population had reached 800.
That same year miners working for the Belknap Coal Company went
on strike and formed a chapter of the United Mine Workers. Other
strikes occurred in 1914 and 1915. The switch to oil burning locomotives
decreased demand for coal and by 1942 mining operations quit as
America entered WWII.
From a population estimated at 1,000 in 1950, it had fallen to 617
ten years later. The decline slowed and by the 1970 census it was
624. In 1990 there were 505 residents reported which has since increased
to the present 531 (2020)
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Suspension
Bridge, Newcastle, Texas, Postmarked 1914
Click on image to enlarge
Old
postcard courtesy Dan
Whatley Collection |
Newcastle bank
building
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, October 2007 |
Photographer's
Note:
Bank looked vacant, but not sure about feed store. - Mike
Price, October 15, 2007 |
Newcastle Farm
Supplies
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, October 2007 |
Newcastle,
Texas Area Attraction
Fort
Belknap
Three miles south of Newcastle on highway 251. Established in 1851,
the fort was moved to be closer to the Brazos River. The fort was
a stop on the Butterfield Stage Route and was abandoned in 1867.
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Young
County 1907 postal map showing Belknap before the name
change to Newcastle
From Texas state map #2090
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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