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Carter Avenue,
Asherton
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
History in
a Pecan Shell
A timeline of
significant historic events:
1902: Asher Richardson was a rancher who built the town after buying
a huge tract of land in a special state sale. He formed the Asherton
Land and Irrigation Company which was to develop 48,000-acres.
1905: Telephone service was connected and construction began on essential
buildings.
1909: The town was granted a post office
1910: The Asherton and Gulf
Railway began running
1915: The population reaches 1,000 people, with a bank, hotels, blacksmiths,
three stores and a lumber yard.
1925: The town is incorporated.
1927: Asherton becomes one of the largest producers of Bermuda
onions in the U. S.
1929: The population reaches 2,000, but begins a slow decline that
lasts until the 1950s.
1954: Asherton has 2,425 people. |
Historical Marker:
Bel-Asher
Designed by noted
San Antonio architect
Alfred
Giles and built in 1910, this imposing structure was the home
of Asher Richardson and his wife, Mary Isabelle (Belle). Richardson
developed the town of Asherton, routing his railroad, the Asherton
and Gulf Railway Co., through the city in 1905. Christened with a
combination of the Richardsons' first names, the house has remained
in the family for generations. An architectural hybrid with some prairie
school style influences, Bel-Asher features native sandstone construction
and large projecting eaves.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1990 |
Asherton, Texas
Chronicles
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The railroad's
offices had originally been in Carrizo
Springs.
From 1905 to 1909 the railroad was known as the Nueces Valley,
Rio Grande and Mexico Railway Company.
In 1909, 12 miles of track opened between Artesia
Wells and Light, Texas and before the year was over, the last
20 miles between Light and Asherton were completed... more
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Asherton's first
depot
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
Asherton's Second
Depot
Photo
courtesy Shirley McMillan
More Texas
Depots |
First Train in
Asherton... Asherton & Gulf...
1908
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
Asherton 1964
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
Asherton 1964
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
Asherton 1972
street scene
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
Asherton TX Aerial
View
Photo courtesy Shirley McMillan |
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Asherton
Auto Sales
"My father bought this garage and dealership (Ford) between 1927-1930.
This building was on main street (Carter Street). Asherton Auto Sales
burned down Nov. 1950." - Shirley McMillan |
Asherton, Texaas
Forum
My first 10
years of life was in Asherton, TX. Those were wonderful years. -
Shirley McMillan, September 03, 2014
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| 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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