TERRYVILLE, TEXAS

History in a Pecan Shell

The community was originally settled in 1850 by Bob Alexander, but it was the Terry Brothers (James and John) who opened the area’s first store two years later who became the town’s namesake.

The core population was joined by dozens of other families. Mail came all the way from Victoria until after the Civil War when a post office opened in 1869.

In 1870 the town’s first school was built and a Methodist Church was organized that same year. The church was disbanded in 1940 and was originally located on the present site of the Old Terryville Cemetery.

In 1886 Terryville moved three miles southeast of its original location and the town reached its apex four years later when it had about 35-50 residents served by three groceries. Other businesses included a cotton gin and a blacksmith.

After 1900 a decline set in and the first casualty was the post office. It closed in 1907. No record was kept of the town’s population until after the Great Depression when 29 people were reported. The town had a single store at that time.

The population swelled to 50 for the 1960 census but shrank back to 40 by 1970. The same number has been used through 2000.

Terryville

DeWitt County 1907 postal map showing Terryville
near Lavaca County line
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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