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History in
a Pecan ShellThe
present name is a corruption from Robert P. Flynt, a local landowner. In 1882
the community became a stop on the Kansas and Gulf Short Line Railroad. The misspelling
of Mr. Flynt’s name is attributed to the town’s first postmaster who filled out
the post office application incorrectly. The following year Robert P. Flynt himself
became postmaster (although the name of the town remained Flint).
The 1890
Census showed a population of just 25 residents, and just one general store to
three cotton gins. Flint did have a physician, however – a rarity in a town so
small.
By 1902 the area had an estimated 100 families – all of them farming
vegetables. Together they shipped 85 carloads of vegetables – mostly tomatoes
but also peaches, cabbage and watermelons.
Despite its size, Flint also
shipped nearly 1,000 bales of cotton.
By
1914 the population had increased to 450 and the region’s farmers outdid all previous
records. The prosperity of the 1920s allowed Flint to rebuild its frame school
with a 2-story brick building. Classes extended to the 10th grade. Residents could
shop at six different general stores, see the doctor and read Flint’s own newspaper
(the Weekly Reader) in his waiting room.
The town’s population declined
to just 200 by the mid 1920s – perhaps influenced by the drop in cotton prices.
Flint
was hit hard by the Great Depression. After WWII,
the population had decreased to just 150. The Flint ISD merged with Tyler’s
ISD in 1952. The school later became the town’s community.
Flint has retained
its post office and may have under-reported its 1990 census figures of 150 people,
since 700 were reported on the 2000 Census. |
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Flint
United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, July 2007 |
Flint
old and new Baptist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, July 2007 |
1907
Smith County Postal Map showing Flint
(Under
"M" in "SMITH")
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, and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
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