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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 ForumSubject:
The Coke Store
My
Family moved to the big town of Coke when I was around 7 years of age. My Momma
and Daddy and us three boys grew up with the Coke Store owned most of that time
by Art and Frankie Holt. We lived about a mile down from the store on FM 69. The
Coke Store was located at the end of FM 69 and Hwy 515. It was a part of life
for a bunch of us during the 1970's and 1980's. Art and Frankie Holt were the
owners for most of that period! Art always seem to have a Cigar in his mouth that
was not lit. The store had everything that we would need at that time. Candy,
Soft Drinks, Bar-B-Q, Can Goods, Minnows, Gas Pumps... A place just to go and
spend some time on the bench out front and always ran into someone to talk to
for a little while. We would ride our bikes to the Coke Store sometimes just to
spend time at the store! All of us went there! I sure miss the Coke Store!!! Thanks
So Much - Dale Cummings, March 10, 2013
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
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
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