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History in
a Pecan Shell
The
town of Malone had its beginning in 1884 or 85 when settler Alonzo
Dru Walling, planned a townsite and modestly named it after himself.
With the anticipated arrival of the International-Great Northern Railroad,
the town moved two miles to the east in 1902. The following year the
Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway created an east-west route to intersect
with the I-GN tracks at Walling.
William Malone, president of the I-GN wasn't happy with a competing
railroad but Alonzo Walling sold him on the potential of a two-railroad
crossroad town. Renaming the new town Malone just sweetened
the proposal. Investors platted the town and lots were auctioned off
in December of 1903. Officials of both railroads received a percentage
of revenues and the T&BV built a depot.
Malone started with an instant population of 125 from the day of the
auction. A post office opened the same year and A. D. Walling, clever
man that he was, sued the I-GN to build a second depot and schedule
regular stops at Malone. The former town of Walling declined in proportion
to Malone's growth but if Alonzo Walling felt sad about his namesake
town, he made up for it by owning most commercial properties in Malone.
The town throve. By 1913 there were as many as eight grocery stores
operating in Malone and in the 1920s the population had grown to 550.
Even during the Great Depression, Malone's decline was slight when
compared to other regional towns. In 1936 Malone still maintained
a population of 481.
After WWII there
were still 429 people but in the 50s time caught up with Malone and
the population fell to 352 residents served by a mere 12 businesses.
It hit a low of 255 people and then increased to 305 by the mid 1970s
- and has remained at that level. |
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Same view of
downtown Malone in 2006
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2006
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Malone city
hall and Volunteer Fire Department
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2006
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Entering Malone
from the east
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, April 2006
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| 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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