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History
in a Pecan Shell
Adrian, like the other towns that stretch across Texas along I-40
came into being as a stop on the Rock Island Railroad. Adrian was
chosen as a stop in 1900, although the first train didn't arrive until
1909.
The town's namesake was early settler Adrian Cullen. Settlement was
promoted by an Iowa company operating as the American-Canadian Land
and Townsite Company.
A man named J. P. Collier, set up a printing press and dug a water
well, running water pipe for the town's first infrastructure. A post
office was granted and soon the town was thriving with a brickyard,
blacksmith, bank, lumberyard and newspaper.
Scarce water and a long drought keep the population low. In 1915 there
were only 50 persons.
A grain elevator was built in 1929 and a volunteer fire department
was established in the 40s.
Although Adrian sets on the western side of the Texas
Panhandle, it is the half-way point for travelers travelling the
"Mother Road" of Route 66. |
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Route
66 MidPoint in Adrian
Photo courtesy Jimmy Dobson, August 2017 |
Bent Door Trading
Post and 1946 Phillips 66 Gas Station
Photo courtesy Jimmy Dobson, August 2017 |
1967 Fabulous
40 Motel
Photo courtesy Jimmy Dobson, August 2017 |
Landscape just
west of Adrian
Photo courtesy Ken
Rudine, July 2006 |
| 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, please contact
us. |
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