|
|
EGYPT,
TEXAS
The oldest community
in Wharton County
Wharton County, Texas
Gulf Coast
Farm Road 102
Houston US 59 South
61 miles to Wharton,
then FM102 North 11 miles through Glen
Flora
Population: (estimated) 26
|
|
|
The
Former Egypt Post Office
TE photo 2001 |
|
History in
a Pecan shell
John C. Clark was the first settler in the area in 1822.
Robert Kuykendall, Thomas Rabb and John Clark were the three
landowners for a large part of what is now Wharton, Colorado and Fayette
Counties. They were among the first of the "Old 300".
The land along the Colorado River was Karankawa Indian Country and
these three men became Indian fighters - making settlement of the
land possible. |
|
|
An
old store
TE photo 2001 |
|
|
|
Structures
at Egypt
TE photo 2001 |
|
A timeline
of significant historical events in Egypt
1829: Eli Mercer
established Mercer's Crossing - a plantation and ferry on the Colorado.
After providing corn to the drought-stricken area, people started
calling it Egypt for the biblical reference.
1832: William J. E. Heard started Egypt Plantation on
land he purchased from John C. Clark and built his home in
Egypt. The land is still owned by his heirs today.
1835: The post office was opened with Eli Mercer as postmaster.
Egypt became a central point since four different Texas mail routes
were passing through the town.
1836: Heard established a cotton gin and Captain
Thomas Rabb recruited a company of men that became Co. F of the
First Regiment of Texas Volunteers. At San
Jacinto, Company F captured the Mexican artillery.
1837: The republic opened Post Colorado at Egypt. |
|
|
The
Heard/ Northington Family Cemetery at Egypt
TE photo 2001 |
|
1839: a stagecoach
line, operated by Andrew Northington, served Egypt. Northington
was the son-in-law of Heard.
1846: Egypt becomes part of the newly established Wharton County breaking
away from Colorado County.
1848: Entrepreneurs in Egypt built a mule (or horse) drawn railroad
to Columbus.
|
|
|
A
well-ventilated barn at Egypt
TE photo 2001 |
|
1881: George
H. Northington and Green C. Duncan built a large general store
in Egypt. The post office moved to the new store when it was built
and remained there for 100 years.
During the 1930s until World
War II - a racetrack operated in Egypt.
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Houston
Hotels
Wharton
Hotels
More
Hotels
© John Troesser |
Egypt Texas
Forum
My grandparents
once lived in Egypt, Texas where my paternal grandfather owned a meat
market. This market stood close to a saloon which ordered sausages
from the S.M. Gupton shop. In order to increase his sales of beer
the saloon keeper would implore my grandfather with these words. "Make
that sausage salty Buff".
- Hank Gupton Anahuac, Texas, July 12, 2006 |
|
|
