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History in
a Pecan Shell
The name, although
easily understood, is something of a mystery since the town was established
before 1850. In the late 1860s the community had a school sharing
space with a modest church. A post office was in operation – prior
to the American Centennial – which would happen in 1876.
By the early 1890s the town had a mere 30 residents – served by two
stores and a grist and saw mill. In 1906 it had two segregated schools
– the Black school had 97 students while the White school had only
17.
Centennial had an estimated population of 50 in the mid 1930s and
a store. It managed to get through the Great Depression and WWII
but instead of growth, the population moved away toward job opportunities.
After the schools merged with those in Carthage,
only the cemetery and scattered houses were left to represent what
had been the community of Centennial. |
1872 Panola
County Map showing Centennial
near county line, NE of Carthage
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| 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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