| |
The
Texas marker in Bethany
TE photo, August 2009 |
History
in a Pecan ShellOnce
known by the name of Vernon, Bethany got its current name with the opening
of a post office in 1849. Vernon was a popular stop with Southerners transmigrating
into Texas. The post office moved to Caddo Parish
Louisiana for a short time before the Civil War.
In 1889 one of the local
store owners took advantage of his store/ tavern's position straddling the state
line by restricting gambling and drinking to separate halves of the same building.
In the 1920s, a gas field was discovered which brought some prosperity to the
region in the 30s, but like most rural areas, the population declined after WWII.
From Here and There
- "Bob Boman's East Texas" Column:
"Each holiday, a
hay bale north of Bethany, on the Texas-Louisiana line, wishes travelers its good
wishes for the reason. The last time I was there, the hay bale was celebrating.
St. Patrick’s Day. The hay bale, of course, is decorated by the landowner."
|
Site
of Bethany Centennial Marker
TE photo, August 2009 | |
|
