| |
History in a Pecan
Shell
Settled in the late 1840s, Omen has gone under many names – including
Canton, Old Canton, Round Hill, Clopton, and Troup – all before finally settling
on Omen in 1880. In late 1849 the Round Hill post office was opened in
the home of Arnold O'Brien, the community’s first resident. In 1851 the new postmaster
changed the name to Canton – which caused confusion with the Van Zandt
county seat, necessitating the second change to Clopton. After a brief
closing, the post office reopened as Troup, Texas.
The International-Great
Northern railroad arrived in the 1870s, bypassing the town by four miles, forming
the new town of Zavalla. The post office joined
other residents in moving to the new town, although they retained the name Troup.
In
the penultimate change of name, Troup’s post office was renamed Old Canton
– a name still in popular use by residents. Finally, in 1880, the town settled
on Omen.
The population was estimated at 550 in 1892 and in 1906
the much-named post office closed it’s doors for good – but leaving the permanent
name.
By 1912 the town was down to two businesses and in time, the justice
of the peace moved to nearby Arp, along with the local
Masonic lodge. By 1933 the population was down to 150. Omen’s last store closed
in the 1960s and the population continues to be given at the 1933 level. |
 |
|
|
