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History in
a Pecan Shell
Once the only town alongside the Texas and Pacific Railroad in Fisher
County, Eskota's name may be Indian or may be Spanish. But everyone
agrees that no one knows what it means.
It was to be known as Trent after local rancher Riley Trent, but the
wrong sign was delivered and put to use. Riley Trent was remembered
on the next stop east. The post office opened in 1888 and as the only
town with a railroad in Fisher County, it prospered – briefly.
A two-story hotel served train crews and passengers. The population
was 50 in1947.
It remains on the railroad – presently the Missouri Pacific. |
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Eskota,
Texas Forum
Subject: Eskota,
Texas
I happened upon your website and I need to alert you of a necessary
correction about the history of the town of Eskota. Eskota was named
after Riley Trent, not Riley and Dan Trent. Riley Trent and Dan Trent
were not siblings or partners; additionally, Dan Trent was of South
Texas. This is confusing for some historians since Riley's son was
named Daniel Irving Trent. T. Lindsay Baker was made aware of this
error and has assured the descendants of Riley Trent that all future
versions of More Ghost Towns of Texas will have the correct
information regarding for whom the town of Trent was named.
I can verify this information for you via notarized documents from
the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, if you like. I am
a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas with six lineal
ancestors, as well as the great-great granddaughter of Riley Trent,
for whom the town was named. My grandmother, Hazel Ellen Trent Nichols
grew up in Eskota, where the family maintained their ranch and oil
wells until the 1960s. I have researched my Trent ancestors in depth
and I would be more than happy to assist you in regard to historical
information about the Trents of Eskota. - Regards, Jennifer Nichols
Hillary, March 19, 2008
Subject: Eskota, Texas
Dear TE, The last business in Eskota was the general store, owned
by my grandfather, C.B. Johnston. It was closed 1967 upon his death,
and the contents were auctioned that summer. The post office closed
in 1954. The only commerical buildings left standing are the old store
and the old bank building. The hotel burned down in 1919, and the
church was torn down in the 80's as it was unsound. The Eskota school
was torn down in the late 40's after the war, and the bricks used
to build the high school in Sweetwater.
There are 4 houses remaining from Eskota's heyday still standing and
in use.
Eskota Homecoming is held annually on the 1st Sunday in October at
the site of the old Methodist Church. - Elaine Starkey, President,
Eskota Homecoming Association, October 11, 2006 |
The
town is listed in T. Lindsay Baker's book More Ghost Towns of Texas,
which contains exact driving directions.
Photographer's Note
Eskota was worth the drive. It is mostly the old house that Baker
showed in his book. It hasn't changed all that much. - Barclay
Gibson, February 20, 2007
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