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History
in a Pecan ShellNamed
after the daughter of pioneer David B. Pritchett, the town was formed in 1870
and when the community applied for a post office in 1885, Pritchett, as postmaster
insured the the name was made official.
From an 1890 population of 30,
it increased to 50 by 1910 even though the post office had closed in 1906. Thereafter
mail was routed to nearby DeKalb.
From 1920
through the mid 1980s the number of residents stood at 58. The 1990 census showed
109 residents, the same number given in 2000.
Photographer's Note:
"Lydia
is another one of the small, quiet northeast Texas towns that I really like. It
is well-suited for the easy going, undemanding traveler. Not recommended for the
traveler expecting excitement, bright lights and tourist-type stuff because they
ain’t there." - Gerald
Massey |
1907 Red River County Postal
Map showing Lydia
(Below last "R" in "RIVER"
near Bowie County line)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
Lydia, Texas ForumSubject:
Lydia Texas
In 1947-48 I lived with my family about five miles from Lydia.
Dad would some time go there to buy a few groceries or maybe some gas. There was
two pumps in front of the store at Lydia. One of the pumps had regular gas, and
the other pump had kerosene in it. At that time. Dad drove a 1929 Chevrolet 2
door car. I went with him one day to get some groceries and some gas for his car.
He didn't look when he stooped to buy gas. He stooped in front of the kerosene
pump. He filled his car with kerosene, thinking it was gas. He had some gas in
the car, I don't remember just how much. When we left Lydia. The car didn't go
far down the road before it started missing and smoking real bad. As soon as it
started acting up. Dad knew what he had done. He went ahead and drove the car
on the kerosene and gas mixture. I ran pretty good, still smoked and missed. Dad
was glad when he got most of it burnt out. So he could put some more gas in it.
The kerosene that we bough then was a lot better grade of fuel than what we can
buy now. I doubt if a car would run on it now. Even a lawn mower. The building
that is still in Lydia was the store-gas station then. - Jesse Suttles, May
9, 2012
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 of their
town, please contact
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