|
|
 |
Historical Marker
:
DELHI
The earliest known
permanent settlers in this area were Orrin L. and Susannah Winters
and their extended family. By 1873, enough of a settlement existed
to make application for a U. S. Post Office. Postal officials rejected
the first name selected for the community, Iron Mountain, but
accepted the second name, Delhi. According to local tradition, Delhi
was the name of a traveling salesman who stayed in the area for a
time dispensing patent medicines and providing entertainment for the
settlers. John P. Reid served as first postmaster.
The first store in Delhi was in operation by the early 1870s in the
home of Daniel t. Winters. The Delhi community experienced some growth
in the 1880s with the founding of two churches, a school, and two
cotton gins. Over the years, additional businesses, including a blacksmith
shop, casket shop, and a syrup mill have served the community.
Although the post office closed in 1929 and the public school consolidated
with the McMahan district in 1947,
Delhi remains a strong rural community in eastern Caldwell
County. Many of its residents are descendants of the town's pioneer
families.
(1992) |
|
From Texas
War Casualties
by John Troesser
"Delhi, Texas, (pronounced DELL HIGH), is situated in one of
the more thinly populated parts of Caldwell
County. Eighteen miles east of Lockhart
, if you can find where FM 713 intersects with Highway 304, head south
on 304 and you'll soon pass a cemetery, church and a simple building
identified as the Delhi Community Center.
The well-tended cemetery is on the left side of the road. Enclosed
by a tidy, but far-from-quaint cyclone fence, the cemetery's identity
is confirmed by the overhead arch saying DEHLI - 1881. Tiny Confederate
and American flags, their number disproportionately large to the number
of graves in general, snap in the near-constant breeze.
A granite marker stands just outside the cemetery gate seemingly too
elaborate for a community that no longer appears on state maps. The
explanation is in the number of inscribed names.
According to the Handbook of Texas, the population of tiny (never-had-a-railroad)
Delhi never exceeded 200 persons. Nevertheless, from the Civil War
to Vietnam, the town supplied 32 soldiers to various wars, "police
actions" and conflicts.
The first thing that catches the visitor's eye is the duplication
of surnames.
Like most Delhi men, Alford J. Fogle served in the Confederacy during
the Civil War. The Fogle family didn't participate in WWI,
but they made up for it in WWII
when Julius, Marvin, and Willey Fogle served.
The Cox family had John G. in the Civil War, Jessie G. in WWI
and Joe H. in WWII.
Bartlett S. Reid was in the Civil War and a descendent also named
Bartlett S. served in WWII.
Glenn B. Reid served in WWII
and years later Carroll A. Reid was Delhi's solitary Vietnam casualty.
Although Spanish-American troop trains to Florida passed as nearby
as Luling, Delhi didn't have
a participant in the all volunteer Spanish-American
War.
But, by the time the U. S. became involved in WWI
- Delhi was again ready.
Two Neeleys, Penn E. and Clarence J. served in The Great War and then
Lloyd C. Neeley served in WWII.
Tyre Pendleton was in WWI
while descendent George M. Pendleton died in the Korean War.
Horace and Vernon were either brothers or a father and son that served
in WWII." |
 |
| 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. |
|
|
HOME
Texas
Gulf Coast
East
Texas
Central
Texas North
Central
Texas South
Texas
Panhandle
South
Texas
Texas
Hill Country
West
Texas
Texas
Ghost Towns
Texas
Counties
