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History in
a Pecan Shell
As you may have
imagined, the town was named after the town in Illinois. “Transient
resident” B. F. Stewart, is credited with suggesting the name after
his former hometown. Peoria was comprised of 21 cabins in the 1840s
but the town had big plans. An entire square mile of streets was platted
in 1853 and in 1887 the town was granted a post office. By 1878 Peoria
had a population of 500 and hope were high. But when it was by-passed
by the railroad in 1890, it immediately declined to around 350.
In the 1880s the town had daily stage service to Hillsboro
and Whitney, but the population still
dropped – reaching 129 by 1904.
The post office closed in 1907 and although there was some growth
in the prosperous 20s, by the time the Great Depression arrived, Peoria
was down to only four businesses. The Baptist and Presbyterian churches
still remain active and the population of 81 has been in use since
the early 1980s. |
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Historical Marker:
Peoria Cemetery
Established in
1830s as this community developed. First plot was donated by J. R.
DeArman; 4 generations of the William Thomas Hill family made later
grants. A child fatally bitten by a rattlesnake was first to be buried
here. Many rural residents and transients lie in unmarked graves.
1969 |
Peoria Cemetery
Historical Marker
Photo
courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2008 |
Hill
County 1907 postal map showing Peoria (SW of Hillsboro)
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| 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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