|
|
MATTHEWS,
TEXAS Texas Ghost
Town
Colorado County, Central Texas S
FM 950 and FM 102
5.5 miles S of Eagle Lake
6.4 miles NE of Garwood
22 miles SE of Columbus
Population: Unknown
|
History
in a Cotton Boll
John Matthews is the community's namesake. Arriving in 1827, Matthews
bought land from one of Stephen F. Austin's original colonists and
established a plantation.
The 140-slave plantation prospered prior to the Civil War and following
the war, Matthews' freed slaves and those of other nearby former plantations
created a market for goods and services. The community formed around
the former plantation and by 1880 the town had a gin, blacksmith and
general store. The town briefly had a post office in operation from
1895 to 1905. Thereafter it was routed through nearby Eagle Lake.
By 1900 Matthews had a population of 100 with a school and four businesses
in operation. The same population was given for the next six decades.
Matthews appears on detailed county maps - but no population figures
are available. The two nearest cemeteries to Matthews are the Union
Hill cemetery and the Mt. Zion cemetery - both on county roads within
two miles of town. |
Matthews,
Texas Forum
Anyone wishing
to share history or photos of Matthews, Texas, please contact
us.
© John Troesser |
|
|
