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Leander United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Leander began life as a community named Bagdad
– located a mile west of what was soon to become Leander. Bagdad was bypassed
by the railroad and as merchants
moved to the tracks, a new name was required. Thankful for a connection with the
outside world, the people chose railroad official Leander Brown as the town’s
namesake.
Lots went on sale in July of 1882. The Masons built their local
lodge to accommodate the local schoolchildren until 1899 when a high school was
built – financed by the selling of stock. Leander was content living in relative
seclusion through the late 1960s. Austinites viewed the town as breathing room
and subdivisions started appearing. Now included in the Greater Austin
area, Leander’s population doubled from 3,400 in 1990 to 7,600 by the 2000 census.
In 2007, the population estimate was 23,523. |
Leander
Presbyterian Church
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
"Webster
Massacre Centennial Tablet Marker is located in Leander on SH(NOT US) 183 about
2 blocks southeast of the intersection with FM 2243." -
Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 photo |
Leanderthal
Lady historical marker in Leander
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Leander
Texas historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Historical
Marker TextLeanderLeander
grew from the once thriving town of Bagdad,
founded in 1854 (1 mi. W). when the Austin & Northwestern Railroad bypassed Bagdad
in 1882, a new town was surveyed and named for railroad official Leander Brown
(1817-89). Homes and businesses from the older community quickly moved to the
new site along the rail line.The post office was brought here from Bagdad
in 1882. The school started here in 1893 has grown into the largest school district
in Williamson County. Originally in a rural area, Leander had boomed in recent
years due to Highland Lakes
development.
1975 |
Leander
Presbyterian Church Sesquecentennial marker
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
| 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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