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"The old Tarkington I.S.D.
school in Tarkington Prairie"
Photo courtesy Coty Squier
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Texas
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| History
in a Pecan Shell
Founded in the early 1820s by Burton B. Tarkington,
the community was close to the well-traveled Nacogdoches-Lynchburg trail. Originally
a Mexican land grant it soon became a commercial center and was thriving even
before the start of the Civil War. Early businesses included a blacksmith, a store
and a steam-powered gin. The community also had its own post office.
Noncommercial
infrastructure included a Masonic Lodge that doubled as a Baptist Church. Population
of the community was infused by Confederate veterans who relocated from other
Southern states. Mail service was eventually taken over by Cleveland,
Texas and Tarkington’s post office was closed.
Burton Tarkington and
his wife are buried nearby in the McGinnis Cemetery. A historical marker in front
of the Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department serves as a remembrance.
Photographer's
Note:
"This is the old Tarkington I.S.D. school in Tarkington Prairie,
Texas. Which is 45 minutes north of Houston off Hwy 321 between Cleveland
and Dayton. The school is off a county road but
I'm not sure the CR number. I don't know how old the school is but my grandmother
went to school there before the 50's. The town's namesake Sarah and Burton Tarkington
are buried in a cemetery located near the new school road CR 163 and Hwy 321."
- Coty Squier, November 27, 2011 |
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The
1907 Liberty County Postal Map showing Tarkington Prairie
(Above "B"
in "LIBERTY")
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us. | |
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