|
|
Chicota
Presbyterian Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2007 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally called Center Springs, the
town began life as a trading post in 1879, when storekeeper Captain Robert Draper
heard the word Checotah in reference to a place in Indian Territory.
A
post office was in operation in the early to mid 1880s, Although the population
was a mere 45 individuals, there were over 100 schoolchildren in the vicinity,
taught by two teachers.
By 1892 the town had 225 residents, but it had
declined to 100 by 1914. By the time the Great Depression was underway, Chicota
was down to a few businesses and the church and cemetery.
The postwar
population was estimated at 212 from the late 1940s through the 1950s. The 1990
census reported 125 residents, which was the same number given in 2000. |
1940s
Lamar County Map showing Chicota near the Red River
Courtesy Texas General
Land Office |
Where
to Stay - Chicota, Texas Area Hotels
Paris
Hotels
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 of their town, please contact
us. |
|
| Save on Hotels
- Expedia
Affiliate Network | |
