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History
in a Pecan Shell
Once known as Peyton Colony and Boardhouse (after the first structure
built), it was also referred to by white settlers as Freedman's Colony.
Settled just after the Civil War, the community’s namesake is Peyton Roberts,
an emancipated slave from Lockhart, Texas.
Roberts was joined by other freedmen and in the early 1870s and land for a church
was donated by the family of Jim Upshear who arrived by wagon train from Virginia.
The
community had its own post office (briefly) from 1898 through 1909 and again from
1918 until the Great Depression.
Today, descendants of the original settlers
still live in the vicinity and the population estimate for 2000 was 30. The Mount
Horeb Baptist Church is the community’s social center.
See Historical
Markers
See 1907 Blanco County Postal
Map
Photographer's
Note:
Peyton Colony is located about 7 miles ENE of Blanco
in Blanco County, just off FM 165. Only after my last visit there did I see that
the Peyton Colony Cemetery is nearby, on private property. -
Barclay
Gibson, June 27, 2010 |
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Historical
Marker - on CR 409, one mile N of FM165Mount
Horeb Baptist ChurchBorn
a slave in Virginia, Peyton Roberts became a freedman in Caldwell County, Texas,
at the close of the Civil War. He soon moved west to this area and the settlement
that developed around his farm became known as Peyton Colony. In 1874, under the
direction of the Rev. Jack Burch, residents of the community established the Mt.
Horeb Baptist Church. Early worship services were held in a log building also
used as a school. Since the reconstruction era, Mt. Horeb has served as a focal
point for the community and for a widespread rural area.
(1988)
Related Topics:
Texas
Black History
Texas Churches |
Historical
Marker - roadside park, west side of 165 (8 miles NE of Blanco)Peyton
Colony Lime KilnPeyton
Colony was a freedmen's community established in the 1860s under the leadership
of former slave Peyton Roberts. In addition to homes, the community included a
local school and Mt. Horeb Baptist Church. This lime kiln was built by Peyton
Roberts and his neighbors to provide high quality materials with which to make
mortar for buildings in Blanco County, some of which remain today. The kiln was
restored in the 1960s in conjunction with the construction of a roadside park
at the site. It stands as a reminder of the efforts of ex-slaves to begin new
lives.
(1988)
Incising: Restored by Blanco Lions Club
Related
Topics:
Texas Buildings
Texas
Architecture- Special Subjects |
1907
Blanco County Postal map showing Peyton Colony as Payton
(Under
"N-C" in "B-L-A-N-C-O" near Hays County line)
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Peyton
Colony is featured in T. Lindsay Baker 's "Ghost Towns of Texas."
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas,
asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic photos
of their town, please contact
us. |
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