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GLIDDEN, TEXAS
Colorado County,
Central Texas S
Just N of I-10 on Old Highway 90
3 miles W of Columbus
Population:
255 (2000)
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The
Site of the Glidden Ax Murder - March 1912
"Six persons, four children and two adults were murdered in their
sleep in Glidden in March of 1912. No one was ever convicted of the
crime. The photo shows the home in which the murder occured and many
of the vistim's neighbors." - Photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial
Library Photo # 00033 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Originally
a railroad town with shops, a switch yard and a round-house belonging
to the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway. After construction
of the switching yards was completed, a plat was filed in the Spring
of 1885. |
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Water
Tower and Roundhouse at Glidden Railroad Shops
Photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library Photo # 01820 |
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Two
years later the town was thriving despite its proximity to the county
seat of Columbus.
A large hotel was in operation as well as other stores and businesses
that catered to the railroad employees. A post office was granted
in the late 1880s established in 1888. The population in 1891 was
over 200 and tiny Glidden became the largest railroad-maintenance
facility between Houston
and El Paso.
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Railroad
men pose on Turntable at Glidden Shops
Photo Courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library File #01818 |
In
1896 Glidden worked hard and played hard - with three saloons providing
most of the recreational activities. Glidden was essential for the
war effort - and troops from San
Antonio passed through on their way to Florida during the Spanish
American War.
The two world wars were no exception and the shops at Glidden kept
the troop transports rolling. The town prospered and no one complained
of the noise coming from the roundhouse. |
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Engine
593 and railroad men at Glidden
Photo courtesy Nesbitt Memorial Library File # -01817 |
As
steam locomotives gave way to diesel, the round house and shops at
Glidden were soon obsolete. As they were phased out - Glidden declined.
From a population estimate near 400 in 1925, it had fallen to a mere
150 by 1949. It remains active, but shopping is done in Columbus
and the population is still well under 300. |
Glidden, Texas
Forum
Anyone wishing
to share history or photos of old Glidden, Texas, please contact
us.
© John Troesser |
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