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History
in a Pecan Shell
Established in
the early 1880s in the Golden Age of Railroad Expansion, the railroad
was the Texas and St. Louis and the route they were building was to
connect Corsicana with
Waco.
The town was granted a post office in 1882 and the name was meant
to honor a railroad officer. By 1890 the population was approaching
200 and Axtell had most essential businesses – including a hotel.
In 1896 the population reached 250, growing to 400 by 1914. Flooding
and storms in that year ruined crops and forced farmers into bankruptcy,
nevertheless, Axtell maintained a population of 220 from the 1920s
through the 1960s.
The 1970 census showed a drop to only 105 but it has since recovered
to 300 for the 2000 census. |
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/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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