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FLORENCE, TEXASWilliamson
County, Texas Hill Country
FM 195
45 miles N of Austin
18 miles N of Georgetown
19 miles SW of Salado
35 miles SW of Temple
Population 1,054 (2000)
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The
Florence Police Station
Photo courtesy Hannalore Lyons, September, 2004 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Briefly called Brooksville, the community dates from the early 1850s.
The name change came about with the opening of the post office in
1857. The first postmaster was from Florence, Alabama although Florence
Brooks, the daughter of the town's first merchant is also considered
to be the source of the name.
After the Civil War, wheat, cotton and cattle were the town's economic
mainstays, and by the 1890s the town was prospering with the stores,
mills, hotels, and lodges typical of a central Texas town on the rise.
Untypical businesses included a stone quarry and a cheese factory.
A short line railroad (the Bartlett and Western Railway) was in operation
from 1912 until 1935.
Its population reached 1,000 people - just before the Great Depression
- when it fell below 500. It has, in the last few years, surpassed
the previous record. |
Florence Texas
Forum
Our thanks
to Hannalore Lyons for suggesting Florence's inclusion.
Anyone wishing to share stories, memories or historic photos of Florence,
Texas, please contact
us.
© John Troesser
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