TexasEscapes.com HOME Welcome to Texas Escapes
A magazine written by Texas
Custom Search
New   |   Texas Towns   |   Ghost Towns   |   Counties   |   Trips   |   Features   |   Columns   |   Architecture   |   Images   |   Archives   |   Site Map

Wood County TX
Wood County

Counties
Texas Counties


Texas Towns
A - Z

Mineola Hotels


MINEOLA, TEXAS

Wood County, East Texas

32°39'10.4"N 95°28'49.1"W (32.652881, -95.480296)

At the intersection of Hwy 69, 80 & 37
80 miles E of Dallas on Hwy 80
10 miles S of Quitman the county seat
27 miles NW of Tyler
25 miles NE of Canton
ZIP Code 75773
Area code 903
Population: 4,823 (2020)
4,515 (2010) 4550 (2000) 4,321 (1990)

Book Hotel Here › Mineola Hotels

Restored Depot Mineola Tx
The restored depot in Mineola
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007

Historical Marker:

Mineola

Since its establishment in 1873, the community of Mineola has been tied historically to the railroad and transportation industries. The Texas & Pacific Railroad planned to connect Longview and Dallas by rail, and began building west in 1872. Meanwhile, the Houston & Great Northern Railroad built northward from Troup. Several communities developed near anticipated depot sites, though they declined when the two railroads joined. The site was named Mineola; various stories recount the naming of the new settlement.

Additional rail lines soon connected to Mineola, which experienced impressive growth. The rail brought new residents, including a number of immigrant families, and made Mineola a shipping center for agricultural Wood County. The growth sparked the establishment of various institutions, including a newspaper, the Mineola Monitor; churches, beginning with St. Paul’s Baptist Church in 1871; a city cemetery, founded in 1873; a school system started in 1875 and becoming public in 1881; and First National Bank, which organized in 1898. An 1888 fire destroyed 18 buildings downtown, but the community quickly recovered.

In the early 20th century, transportation continued to affect Mineola, as the federal government built U.S. Highway 80 through the town. In 1929, the Texas 7 Pacific terminal in Longview relocated to Mineola; many families resettled here, sparking population and commercial growth. The railroads continued to be vital to the community until they declined in the 1950s.

In 1996, Amtrak revived passenger service to Mineola, restoring the town’s bond with rail. Today, Mineola continues to be a leading community in Wood County and east Texas.
(2008)

Mineola, Texas
Attractions, Landmarks & Events

If you haven't heard of Mineola, you will. Things are not only getting done, but getting done right. Major renovations of residences and hotels, are letting visitors see what life was like in this Northeast Texas Railroad town.
Antiquing is a major draw, with over 20 antique shops. An active library, a 38 acre Civic Center complex (with 224 RV spaces), and a Museum of Railroad Memorabilia are additional attractions.

Events are evenly spaced throughout the year, with Spring and Fall being host to scenic nature drives. Check out the Dogwood & Azalea Trails in Spring, the Railroad Heritage Festival the 3rd weekend in October, and the Christmas Winter Wonderland in December.

Geographically it's central to any place in N.E. Texas, so include it in your itinerary and we're sure you'll return for a closer investigation.

Book Hotel Here › Mineola Hotels
Mineola's "Lost" Post Office Mural

Mineola TX - Select Theatre Neon
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2010
Select Theatre
The last remaining movie house in Wood County. Weekend movies and performances by The Lake Country Playhouse insure that the 70 year old business stays an active part of the community.

Restored Depot and Caboose, Mineola Tx
Restored Depot and Caboose
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007
More Texas Depots | Texas Railroads


Mineola Tx First Christian Church
The First Christian Church in Mineola
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007
More Texas Churches


St Peters Catholic Church Statue Mineola Tx
St. Peter's Catholic Church Statue
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007
More Texas Statues


St. Peter's Catholic Church, Mineola, Texas
St. Peter's Catholic Church in Mineola
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
More Texas Churches


Mineola Tx Downtown
Downtown Mineola
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007


Mineola Tx mural and ghost sign
Mural and ghost sign
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007
More Ghost Signs | Texas Murals


Mineola City Hall, Mineola, Texas
Mineola City Hall, 1940s
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/


Cows in Mineola, Texas
"Hello from MINEOLA, TEXAS"
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/


Cows in pasture and pond
"Greetings from MINEOLA, TEXAS"
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/

Nearby Destinations

Mineola, known as "Gateway to the Lake Country", is within 2 to 15 miles of Lake Holbrook, Lake Hawkins with campground and RV facilities, and Lake Fork Reservoir. Mineola Country Club has one of the best 9-hole golf courses in Texas.

Take Hwy 80 West 14 miles to Grand Saline, then take FM17 SW 11 miles to Canton




Take a road trip

East Texas

Mineola, Texas Nearby Towns:
Quitman the county seat
Tyler | Canton | Dallas
See Wood County

Book Hotel Here:
Mineola Hotels | More Hotels

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Texas Escapes Online Magazine »   Archive Issues » Home »
TEXAS TOWNS & COUNTIES TEXAS LANDMARKS & IMAGES TEXAS HISTORY & CULTURE TEXAS OUTDOORS MORE
Texas Counties
Texas Towns A-Z
Texas Ghost Towns

TEXAS REGIONS:
Central Texas North
Central Texas South
Texas Gulf Coast
Texas Panhandle
Texas Hill Country
East Texas
South Texas
West Texas

Courthouses
Jails
Churches
Schoolhouses
Bridges
Theaters
Depots
Rooms with a Past
Monuments
Statues

Gas Stations
Post Offices
Museums
Water Towers
Grain Elevators
Cotton Gins
Lodges
Stores
Banks

Vintage Photos
Historic Trees
Cemeteries
Old Neon
Ghost Signs
Signs
Murals
Gargoyles
Pitted Dates
Cornerstones
Then & Now

Columns: History/Opinion
Texas History
Small Town Sagas
Black History
WWII
Texas Centennial
Ghosts
People
Animals
Food
Music
Art

Books
Cotton
Texas Railroads

Texas Trips
Texas Drives
Texas State Parks
Texas Rivers
Texas Lakes
Texas Forts
Texas Trails
Texas Maps
USA
MEXICO
HOTELS

Site Map
About Us
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer
Contributors
Staff
Contact Us

 
Website Content Copyright Texas Escapes LLC. All Rights Reserved