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COKE, TEXAS
Texas Ghost
Town
Wood County, East Texas
FM 515 and FM 69
10 miles N of Quitman
Population:
105 (same figure as 1972)
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A
store at Coke
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone, Jan. 2005 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
The area had been settled in the 1850s, although the town didn't develop
until coal was discovered nearby. Coke (for the byproduct used to
make steel) was the name submitted to the postal authorities and in
1885 the post office opened under that name. Coke had 200 residents
by 1892 along with 12 businesses.
Four years later there were only 25 residents. The post office closed
in 1906. Coke weathered the Great Depression with 25 residents. In
1942 the Coke oilfield, came in just north of town. Even this had
no effect on the population and it was still reported as 25 through
the 1960s.
It was reported that all that remained at Coke was the school and
few residences in 1960. The population started rising in 1968 (to
51) and to a high of 130 in 1970. In 1988 one business was reported
- evidently the now-vacant store pictured above.
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Coke, Texas
Forum
Nostalgia Goes
Better with Coke
Dear TE,I am going to send this information about Coke to my 92
year-old grandmother. She grew up in Como, Texas and attended the
former Forest Academy school that was in the area. She helped establish
the historical marker for the Forest Academy Cemetery. There is still
a church there as well. Every first Sunday in May a memorial service
is held there by those who are members and have families buried in
the cemetery.
When I was little, I would travel to/from Como to Nacogdoches and
we would stop at the Coke store. It sits at a 4-way stop. It was like
it was the only thing there for miles. I loved that little store.
Sometimes we would stop for candy and soda. Well, I didn't really
have much to add to your information about Coke, but it sure brought
back some fond memories for me. - Leigh Culver, February 02, 2007
Anyone wishing to share stories or photos of old Coke, Texas, please
contact
us.
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Whetstone Photos
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