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NEW LONDON,
TEXAS
Rusk County, East
Texas
Hwy 42 and Hwy 323
12 miles S of Kilgore
39 miles S of Gilmer
25 miles SE of Tyler
119 miles SE of Dallas
45 miles SW of Marshall
Population:
987 (2000)
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New
London High School and Monument
Postcard
courtesy rootsweb.com/
~txgenweb// postcards/Index.html |
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Now
London High School before explosion
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
History
in a Pecan Shell
The area's first post office (1855) was named London, Texas. In 1877
a school was opened. From its beginning until 1930 cotton and vegetable
farming was the primary economic engine.
When the East Texas oilfield came in a few miles west of town, everything
changed - seemingly for the better. A modern school was built as well
as scores of new homes. The new post office (established in 1931)
had their application rejected by postal authorities since the name
was already in use (Kimble County).
In 1931 Humble Oil and Refining made New London their district headquarters
and relocated 100 families from other assignments. This guaranteed
that the community's success would outlive the boom times.
On March 18, 1937, everything changed (see related
stories.) when a gas explosion lifted the school off the ground,
killing scores of people - most all of them children. |
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"Scene
of London School Explosion
Mar. 18, 1937"
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
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so, the boom continued and a new school was built within a year. During
the 1950s when the East Texas oilfield started its decline, pumpjacks
were installed and the familiar derricks disappeared. Some families
remained, but others relocated and when New London was finally incorporated
in 1963 the population was under 1,000 - where it has remained.
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West Rusk High School in New London
Photo John Troesser, April 2003 |
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school today is known as West Rusk High School and the disaster is
commemorated by an artistic cenotaph showing a male and female teacher
comforting their students. Many of the dead are buried in the cemetery
about a half mile east of the school.
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The
Cenotaph
Photo by John Troesser, April 2003 |
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The
Cenotaph (detail)
Photo John Troesser, April 2003 |
New London
Texas Forum
New London
Explosion
I have looked at your coverage of the explosion at the New London
school and you have done a good job covering it. I hope you can
expand your coverage as possible. My interest is because my mother,
Betty Joe Beasley, was one of the younger kids who was waiting for
an older sibling to meet them at the bus. She was waiting on her
sister, my Aunt, Nadine Beasley. Nadine was the young lady that
was found on the remains of the second floor of the building and
had to be coaxed to jump into a mans arms to safety. They both are
alive and well living in Longview and Kilgore.- Randall L. West,
Milwaukie, Oregon, August 09, 2006
Anyone wishing to share memories, photos or stories of New London,
Texas, please contact
us.
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© John Troesser
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