| |
The
SSW Depot in Omaha, Texas
Photo Courtesy Texas Historic Commission
More
Texas Depots |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Not named after the city in Nebraska, Omaha had its name drawn from a hat
in 1886. Citizens had tired of the towns previous name of Morristown. The
eight or so contributors submitted names from their former state of Alabama and
Omaha came up the winner.
The town had a healthy population of 450 in
1890 and it remains a vibrant community. |
Historical
Marker TextOMAHAOn
seidicum line, the old Bowie-Red River counties boundary surveyed in 1840. Thompson
Morris laid out "Morristown" in 1880, but post office was "Gravett." To arbitrate,
a drawing from a hat suggested "Omaha," for old home of a settler from Alabama.
Town is now a shipping center for plants and farm products.
1966 |
Historical
Marker - 110 McLean Avenue Site
of Omaha SchoolLand
was first purchased for a public school in Omaha in 1892 and a large wooden building
near the railroad tracks soon housed three teachers and 165 students. The community
formed an independent school district in 1905 and built a new two-story brick
structure the following year. It was enlarged as necessary, including the addition
of a rock gymnasium erected by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) between
1938 and 1940. After a tornado damaged the property in 1950, the school merged
with nearby Naples at the urging of a wealthy oilman
and rancher who promised financial backing for the consolidated district. The
WPA gym was renovated for commercial use by its new owner.
(1999)
Incise on back: Glenda Brown Scarborough Sandra Smith Forsyth |
| 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
us. | |
|
