| |
EAST BERNARD, TEXASWharton
County, Texas
Gulf Coast
Highways 60 and 90A
West side of the San Bernard
River
15 Miles N of Wharton
Population: 1,729
East
Bernard, Texas Area Hotels
Wharton
Hotels |
Main
Street (Alternate HWY 90) in East Bernard
Photo Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2010 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Although the town's name is East Bernard, it's now on the west side of the river.
Around 1850 settler Jethro Spivi built his house on the east side and the name
stuck. The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway arrived shortly before the
Civil War and a bridge and depot were built. The depot, named Bernard Station,
was on the east side of the river, but relocated to the other side in 1869, forming
the nucleus of the future town. A post office was granted in 1866, although the
town was officially known as East Bernard until 1874.
In the mid-1890s
the town had a population of 150, with a steam-powered cotton gin, gristmill,
and telegraph office. The first school was built in 1888 with a more permanent
brick building constructed in 1912. Riverside Hall was a popular attraction for
music and dancing in the late 20s. In 1956 nearby communities of Bernard Prairie,
Lissie, Muldoon and Nottawa had their school consolidated with East Bernard's
ISD.
East Bernard,
Texas Today |
 |
|
"The 1925 Holy Cross Catholic Church in East Bernard. It is the oldest Catholic
church in continuous use in Wharton County." - Terry
Jeanson, 2010 photo |
Old
holding cell in East Bernard, north of the railroad tracks
Photo Courtesy Terry
Jeanson, January 2010
More Texas
Jails | |
|
