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History
in a Pecan shell
Perry
dates from 1852 - and it looks it. Things didn't really get moving
until 1872, when the railroad* extended their tracks from Bremond
to Ross.
In 1876 a post office opened under the name of Peyton, but was renamed
in 1883 in honor of Albert G. Perry, a long-time resident who also
happened to be county judge and a signer of the Texas Declaration
of Independence. People promptly forgot Peyton, whoever he or she
was.
In the mid-1880s Perry had a population of 250 with cotton gins, gristmills,
stores, and a hotel. By 1900 the population had another 100 persons
to make Perry a respectable 350. Five years later Perry schools had
an enrollment of 140 students in three schools.
Perry reached its population high-water mark of 400 in the 1920s through
the 1930s. It declined during the war years. Perry's Schools were
consolidated with Marlin's
in the mid 1960s and the recorded population was down to less than
100 from the 70s to 1990.
*Waco and Northwestern division of the Houston and Texas Central
Railroad |
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One
of Perry's old liquor stores - once guarded by Penny's father.
Photo Courtesy George Lester, 2003 |
For
readers who have followed the
adventures of the young love-struck George Lester, this town answers
the burning question of what happened to the object of his affection
(Penny) after she left Spunky
Flat.
George recently visited the town of Perry. Photo captions and the
text below are from George.- Editor
"Penny
asked me to drive up north of Marlin
to see her parents old farm place in Perry where they lived after
moving from Spunky
Flat. We almost drove past the town because she didn't recognize
it due to the state of disrepair.
Penny stayed with her parents here before their house burned, so she
knew the town very well."
"Penny's parent's house burned down and the owner of this liquor
store let them stay in a back room until they could build a new house.
Her dad served as night watchman to pay for the rent. Many times he
earned his keep by chasing off would-be burglars." |
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Perry
United Methodist Church about a mile northeast of Perry.
Built 1884-1885 of pine and cypress. "It appeared to be in pretty
good shape for 119 years."
Photo courtesy George Lester, 2003 |
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The pavilion behind the church
Photo courtesy George Lester |
"The
church in Perry was only a few hundred yards from the family's house
and Penny's first child, Donna Jean would beg to go to the church
and play the piano that was in the pavilion (photo above). She is
now 58 and plays the piano still."
"In the forties Waco
went dry so the town opened up a bunch of liquor stores to supply
Waco's drinkers. During that time the town was booming. Later, Waco
went "wet" again so the liquor stores and everything else died in
Perry." - George Lester |
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An
outhouse nearly obscured by bloodweed
Photo courtesy George Lester, 2003 |
Mary,
Mary, Once of Perry by
Toney Urban
Unbelievable, but true stories connected to Perry, Texas
In
the late 40s and early 50s, there was a Black lady named Mary (last
name unknown), that would arrive out in the countryside near Perry,
Texas and dispense some incredibly amazing medicine and conversation.
This would take place the 17th of each month. Her following, if you
prefer to call it that, was enormous. Each time I was there (possibly
some 20 times) I saw 75 to 100 people - with about 50 to 60 cars.
This was just a few yards off the highway out in a pasture... more
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Perry Texas
Forum
Subject: Toney
Urban on Mary
I'd like to thank Toney Urban for his wonderful writeup on Mary!!!
You did a great job, Toney. Just facinating. I wish I'd gotten to
meet her. Do you have any more stories? I'd love to read them. -
Best, Diane, Williamson County, Texas, March 16, 2006
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