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History in
a Pecan Shell
Named for the daughter
of Col. Howard Bland, one of the town's developers, Zella was born
of the railroad. In this case the railroad was the San Antonio, Uvalde
and Gulf and the date was 1913.
An artesian well was dug and a depot, schoolhouse, and a hotel (The
Zella) were built. The townsite company promoted the area as a farmer's
Utopia complete with irrigation systems. A post office opened in 1914,
and some poor souls actually invested in lots and land. A drought
soon hit South Texas
and when the promised irrigation facilities never materialized the
people left.
By 1917 disgruntled Zellarians were abandoning the town in droves.
The post office was the first to close and the newly opened school
soon followed.
The depot remained for many years, and was finally razed in 1945.
The town remained a shipping point for cattle and the Hotel Zella
was still open as of 1985. |
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McMullen
County 1920s map showing Zella
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
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