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History
on a Pecan Shell
Established in
the late 1840s, it was named after settlers homesick for their former
residence in Kentucky.
In 1848 the Gum Springs Presbyterian Church opened its doors and four
years later the New Danville Masonic Lodge was formed.
A post office opened in 1850 but was officially known as the Rabbit
Creek post office. It was changed to New Danville two years
later. It remained in operation until 1873, making the postal
cover below, a rare item.
“New” Danville peaked in the 1860s with most essential businesses
and as many as four stores and a gin. In the early 1870s with the
arrival of the International-Great Northern Railroad into Gregg
County, Danville was bypassed in favor of Kilgore.
As residents and businesses fled to the prosperous lifeline that was
the railroad, New Danville faded. After the Great Depression and WWII,
the town was so depleted that they even dropped the "New" from it's
name. Danville retained two stores despite its downsizing. Over the
years the stores closed. Only the cemetery, a church and scattered
residences remain today. |
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Danville Farms
on Danville Road near the intersection of Old Hwy 26
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, March 2011
More Texas Signs |
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Texas
Escapes,
in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas,
asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
us.
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