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History in
a Pecan Shell
Settled sometime
before the Civil War, lumber and cotton
have historically been the lifeblood of this community. Dotson had
a short-lived post office (1915-21) but never came close to breaking
a population of 100. The town’s high water mark was reached in the
1930s when it had nine businesses (although the population was given
as 20). By the 1950s, it had increased to 50 residents, but by the
1970s it had but a single store. The 1990 and 2000 census reported
around 40 people in the area. It has reached the point where it now
considered “a dispersed rural community.”
See Dotson 1920s hand-drawn
map |
"Gospel
Music Every Tuesday"
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, April 2011 |
Dotson Grocery
& Feed Store
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, April 2011 |
Dotson, Texas,
ca 1920s, hand-drawn map
I grew up in Dotson,
Texas. My Dad, Leroy Griffith (1917-2011) was born and lived most
of his life in Dotson area as farmer and rancher. Several years ago
I asked him to draw a map as he remembered Dotson when he was a young
boy, a copy of which is attached. (See below) It was drawn on a 8x14
ledger paper so not the best but that is what it is. I scan it in
letter size (only one available). Some of that writing is mine and
some is my Dad's. I can read mine but have to guess at some of his.
I did position this map and added a North arrow on the left.
As a kid our bus stopped by the Dotson, Boucher store, every morning
on the way to school in Carthage.
FYI. You folks do a great job. - Jim Griffith, Colleyville, Texas,
February 5, 2022 |
Hand-drawn map of 1920s Dotson TX by Leroy Griffith
Click on image to enlarge
Courtesy Jim Griffith |
Hand-drawn map of 1920s Dotson TX by Leroy Griffith
Click on image to enlarge
Courtesy Jim Griffith |
1920s Panola
County map showing Dotson
SW of Carthage
From Texas state map #10749
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
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