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Dodge historical
marker
TE photo, 5-04 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
The town had its first settlers around 1825. Martin Parmer, who signed
the Texas Declaration of Independence and was the namesake for Palmer
County was an original landowner. In 1872 Martin’s son William granted
right-of-way to the Houston and Great Northern Railroad.
In that year the railroad built a depot, naming it Dodge Station.
Phelps-Dodge was the company that physically built the railroad. The
company also provided names for the twin towns of Phelps
and Dodge. When the post office was established in 1881 Dodge Station
became Dodge.
By the mid-1890s the population was 150; by 1914 it was 500.
Dodge experienced two devastating fires. One in 1924 and one the following
year. The town never replaced the destroyed buildings.
Dodge served as a junction for the Trinity Valley Southern and IGN
railroads, for 35 years – beginning in 1901. The town was still holding
out as late as 1936 when the Great Depression took its toll on the
lumber industry and sawmills closed all across East
Texas.
Dodge has retained a population of 150 from 1943 until the present. |
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Dodge historical
marker text
TE photo, 5-04 |
| 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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