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History in
a Pecan Shell
First settlers
began appearing in the 1860s. The population was a mere 15 (fifteen)
in the late 1890s. The community received its jump start in 1901 with
the arrival of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad in 1901. It wasn’t
a station, but a switch, but even switches needed naming. The name
of Reese (after a railroad conductor named Reese Lloyd) was chosen
by the railroad. Soon Reese, Texas was thriving with a population
of 50 residents served by two stores, two sawmills and even a druggist.
The population broke the 100 mark in 1929 and rather than be bypassed
by the new highway (highway 175), the people moved their businesses
and houses to the road.
A record of how Reese managed through the Great Depression is not
available, but after WWII,
residents left, the school was consolidated and finally, in 1954,
the post office closed.
Reese may never have grown much larger, but in the 1970s there was
an effort to retain what was left. The depot was restored and a community
center was built. The population increased to 75 by the 1990 census
and remained there for the 2000 count. |
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Reese Cemetery
"This is the
Reese Cemetery located on US Highway 175 between Reese and Cuney
in Cherokee County.
This cemetery was founded in the early 1900s, with the earliest grave
noted being in 1919. It is well maintained and still being used today."
- Gage Guinn, September 15, 2012 |
1920s map showing
Reese in NW Cherokee
County
(Above "C" in "CHEROKEE" near Anderson
County line)
From Texas state map #10749
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,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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