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History in
a Pecan Shell
Bath dates to the
early 1870s when it was first known by the rustic name of Possum
Walk. The Union Hill Baptist Church came into being in 1872. The
postal authorities were not about to approve a town named Possum Walk,
so, in 1877, the community became Bath. The community was small, with
just twenty-five residents in 1892. By 1896 it had swelled to forty.
The Union Hill church doubled as a school until a separate school
was built in 1899.
Around the turn of the century, Bath peaked with a gristmill, a sawmill
and two cotton gins. The post office lasted until 1905. Residents
had given up hope for growth but they managed to keep its school and
church open into the depths of ther Great Depression. The school was
consolidated at some point and the population moved to greener pastures
- leaving only the church with its graveyard as a physical reminder
of Bath. |
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Poem by David
Knape:
BATH, TEXAS
A town
named Bath
is always good
for a laugh
It was just
too far off
of the
beaten path
What founders
envisioned
just didn't
last
If you blink
you go past
what used to be
Bath.
~d. Knape |
| 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. |
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