BROOKSTON, TEXAS

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History in a Pecan Shell

Settled around 1870, the town benefited from the economic “Panic of ‘73” when the Texas and Pacific Railroad stopped construction and briefly made the new town the terminus of the line. A post office opened in 1873 and the name chosen was Brookston after A.D. Brooks, the landowner who had donated his property. Ten years later the population was around 100 citizens and by 1890 it had risen to 500.

Shortly thereafter, the town received telephone service and businesses included a candy store and a wagonmaker. In the first few years of the 20th century Brookston’s population declined. From 237 residents in 1904 it rose to 300 by the mid 1920s but by 1930 it was down to only 130. Businesses closed during the Great Depression and in 1957 schools had merged with the West Lamar ISD. That year the town reported 250 residents. From 200 residents in 1970, Brookston’s population fell to just 70 by 1990, the same number as for the year 2000.