|
| Everyone
wonders why some cities and towns in East Texas are named as they
are but never really make a effort to learn the secrets-except Fred
Tarpley, long-time professor of English at East Texas State University,
nee Texas A&M at Commerce.
Fred's curiosity led him to compile 1001 Texas Place Names,
published by the University of Texas Press. |
| Some
locations are obvious, or at least logical. Nacogdoches
got its name from the group of Caddo who once lived there; Tyler
is named for John Tyler, president of the United States, and Sacul
is Lucas spelled backwards. O.K., some names are illogical, but it
is still interesting that the Post Office Department would not accept
"Lucas" but did accept "Sacul." |
Order
Here
1001
Texas Place Names |
|
Toadsuck,
located in Grayson County, took its name from the Toadsuck Saloon,
or alternately, was so named by mill owner John Jones in honor of
his birthplace, Toadsuck, Arkansas. Most notable Toadsuckian was William
"Alfalfa Bill" Murray, who stepped across the Red River and served
as governor of Oklahoma.
Bug
Tussle, in Fannin County, had so much trouble keeping signs up
to mark the crossroads, says Fred, that the highway department just
quit putting them up. The legend here is that Sunday afternoon picnickers
called the place Bug Tussle because the swarms of bugs were so terrific
that all they could do was watch the bugs tussle.
Athens, in Henderson
County, received its name from Mrs. Dull Averitt because she wanted
the town to become a center of learning. That was before anyone counted
them and found out that Athens, Texas, like Athens, Greece, was built
upon seven hills. But then so was Rome, Italy, and Roma,
Texas, which is in Starr County.
Latexo, in Houston County, combines some letters from each of the
principal words in the Louisiana and Texas Orchard Company, which
shipped local produce from there. Cut
and Shoot, in Montgomery County earned its name because of its'
citizens' fondness for settling disagreements with knives and firearms.
My favorite wondering over a place name involved Bon Wier in Newton
County. We began going there regularly when I was in graduate school,
fresh from learning just enough French to pass the required language
requirement. I knew "bon" meant "good," but could never figure out
the translation of "wier."
One day I asked an old timer who was lounging around the filling station.
Said he, "I guess it was named for old man Bonner and old man Wier,
who ran the Kirby mill here." Indeed, B.R. Bonner and R.W. Wier did
just that.
© Archie
P. McDonald
All
Things Historical October
23, 2006 column
A syndicated column in over 40 East Texas newspapers
This column is provided as a public service by the East Texas Historical
Association.
Texas Towns A - Z »
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