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  Texas : Towns A-Z / Central Texas N :

PEARL, TEXAS

Coryell County, Central Texas N
22 miles W of Gatesville
60 miles W of Waco
30 miles NE of Lampasas
Population: 125 (est)

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Church of Christ, Pearl, Texas



Church of Christ in Pearl

Photos Courtesy Jim and Lou Kinsey, 8-04

History in a Pecan Shell

The application for a post office had been filled in with the name Swayback, for nearby Swayback Mountain. A misspelling resulted in "Wayback" when the office was granted in 1884. The townspeople lived with this until 1890, when it was re-named after Pearl Davenport, the SON of a store keeper.

Pearl had three doctors in the early 1900s. The rivalry resulted in a price war for services and as a result, the cost of delivering a baby was $2.50. Telephone service arrived in 1908 although subscribers had to buy their own equipment, including wire, and posts. They also had to string the wires.

Pearl Texas Sunday afternoon bluegrass in the old school building
Sunday afternoon bluegrass in the old school building

Photo courtesy Ken Fortenberry, July 2006

In 1875 Ellen Reily deeded land for Cowhouse School. By the 1890s, the name was changed to Sweet Home School. In 1917 a four-room brick school was built and named Pearl School. The building is now the Pearl Community Center.

The population of Pearl peaked in the 1970s with 220 people.

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Pearl Texas old stores



Two closed stores in Pearl, Texas

Photos Courtesy Jim and Lou Kinsey, 8-04

Pearl Texas Forum

Anyone wishing to share history or photos of Pearl, Texas, please contact us.

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This page last modified: June 17, 2007