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Bosque County TX
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STEINER, TEXAS
AKA Fowler, Texas

Texas Ghost Town
Bosque County, Central Texas North

No exact directions available
NE of Meridian the county seat
E of Walnut Springs
SE of Glen Rose
W of Hillsboro
Population: 0

History in a Pecan Shell

Although a ferry operated near here as early as 1850, things didn’t get humming until a man named James Lane saw potential on this site and made a large land purchase in 1869. Being on Steele Creek and very near the Brazos River. it seemed assured of growth and permanence.

Unlike hundreds of Texas towns bypassed by arriving railroads, Fowler scored with the Texas Central Railroad (Later to become the KATY) upon its arrival in 1880. That same year a post office opened and by the mid 1880s, the town had a (then) respectable population of 50.

Beside the essential businesses, Fowler also had its own doctor, a flour mill and several cotton gins. The population is said to have peaked at around 150 residents in the mid 1890s. By 1914 it had declined to half that figure.

The change of name came about in 1916 when the post office wanted to honor the post surgeon of nearby Fort Graham, Doctor J. M. Steiner. Some reports state that the reason for the change of name was due to Dr. Steiner marrying the postmaster’s daughter.

In 1925 Steiner had just 64 residents which shrank even further during the Great Depression. By 1939 when economic recovery was on the horizon, Steiner was down to a single business and only 20 residents.

Steiner was evacuated in 1950 when it was deemed too close for comfort to Lake Whitney. But a population of 20 people continued to be counted from the 1960s through the 2000 census. The old Baptist Church was rescued and moved to higher ground.



Steiner TX 1940 Postmark
Postcard cancelled with 1940 Steiner postmark.
Courtesy The John J. Germann Collection
Click on postcard for large image



Fowler TX 1901 Postmark
Postcard cancelled with 1901 Fowler postmark.
Courtesy The John J. Germann Collection
Click on postcard for large image

Steiner, Texas Forum

Steiner / Fowler, Texas was suggested for inclusion by Mr. Larry McAdoo, who wrote:

  • Subject: Ghost town Steiner / Fowler, Texas
    "While researching genealogy on my family in Texas I uncovered information about a town whose existence was hard to verify. I have substantial family history in the beginnings of Bosque County. My GGGrandfather James Emsley Douglas McAdoo settled in Bosque County about 1853, prior to it being officially formed. I have land deed transactions and various information that family members were in the eastern-most parts of the county from Plowman Creek near Kopperl and south to Steele Creek where they remained until the turn of the century. One recent discovery was Fowler, Texas, as indicated on numerous family records I was able to find a death certificate for the birth of a nephew of my GGrandfather indicating he was born in Fowler, Texas in 1876. Since I did not find any information about either of the town names in your magazine, I thought this might be of interest to fellow researchers.” - Larry McAdoo, January 28, 2014

  • Bosque County TX - Cedron Cemetery
    Photo courtesy Jen Basham, July 2019
    Cedron Cemetery


    Bosque County TX Map

    Bosque County 1920s map showing Fowler/Steiner
    (Above "E" in "BOSQUE")
    Modification of Texas General Land Office 1920s map



    Bosque County TX 1907 Postal Map
    Bosque County 1907 postal map showing Fowler
    (Above "E" in "BOSQUE")
    Courtesy Texas General Land Office

    Take a road trip

    Steiner, Texas Nearby Towns:
    Meridian the county seat
    Walnut Springs
    Glen Rose
    Hillsboro
    See Bosque County | Central Texas N
    Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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