|
|
CARMINE,
TEXAS
Fayette County/Washington
County, Central Texas S
Highway 290
18 miles W of Brenham
91 miles W of Houston
10 miles E of Giddings
70 miles E of Austin
Population: 228 (2000) 192 (1990)
|
|
|
Carmine
on Highway 290
TE photo, September 2004 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally called Sylvan, the name was changed to honor Newton Carmean,
the first postmaster in 1892. Although it's spelled Carmine, the pronouciation
remains Car-mean. A Dr. B. J. Thigpen was promised the job of railroad
agent when the Texas and New Orleans Railroad built through the area.
He moved his family to Carmine on Christmas Day, 1885. Thigpen's job
was to promote the town and he did. In 1900 there were four stores,
four saloons, two blacksmiths shops, and a newspaper. |
|
|
St.
Matthew Missionary Church in Carmine Texas
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2005 |
|
|
The
AME Church in Carmine
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2005 |
|
|
The
closed Jones Colony Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2005 |
| In
1950 Carmine had a population of 650 which declined to 239 by the
mid 80s to its present estimate of 228. Carmine and Round
Top share their schools. Round
Top has the elementary school while Carmine maintains the high
school. |
|
|
Carmine
Chamber of Commerce housed in the former depot
Photo by John Troesser, September 2004 |
The
railroad track was removed sometime in the early 80s and the chamber
of commerce operates from the former depot.
Carmine's bank has been robbed twice. In the 1930s by Ray Hamilton
and Associates, members of the Barrow gang, and in recent years by
amateurs from Austin who were apprehended before getting as far as
Giddings. |
Antiquing
in Carmine
Today the majority
of stores along the highway are antique dealers. |
|
|
