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History
in a Pecan Shell
This town along the Choctaw Route of the Chicago, Rock Island and
Gulf Railway actually began before the arrival of the railroad. The
Lone Star school, established in 1892 for the children of ranchers
is said to be the first in the Panhandle region.
The Fisher Brothers, Delzell and P. H., platted the town in 1905 and
the one-room schoolhouse was moved there.
The town was named in honor of a former county commissioner (H. B.
Conway).
A post office was granted in 1903 and moved into a store run by Edward
S. Carr in 1907.
After a consolidation with the Panhandle ISD, Conway's old brick school
building was used as a community center.
The population was a mere 25 in 1925, but by 1939 it had risen to
125.
The Handbook of Texas reports Conway had a population of 175
in 1969 but only 50 people in 1970. No explanation is given for the
drastic change. Perhaps someone from the area can inform our readers.
The post office was closed in 1976. |
Conway, Texas
Forum
Subject:
Conway, Texas
I do remember living in Conway when I was a small girl. I would
ride the school bus to Panhandle to go to school. I believe it was
1963 when I moved away from Conway to live in Plainview, Texas.
My dad worked at Conway Wheat Growers, and my mom worked as a waitress
in some of the small cafes there on Route 66. I do remember one
family with the last name of Callaghan who used to live there. They
owned quite a large bit of land (sections of land). I also remember
a couple named Delton and Earlene Smith who lived there in Conway.
I believe Delton worked for the county.
Lots of good childhood memories from Conway. The post office used
to be there and was run by a man named Ralph (I can't remember his
last name). He used to raise greyhound dogs and would take them
to race somewhere in New Mexico I believe.
Thanks for letting me share. If you have any info on anyone who
lived in Conway back then, it'd be absolutely wonderful to hear
about them and their experiences. - Linda (no last name given),
October 27, 2006
Subject:
Conway and Estacado
Town dried up after Interstate 40 routed a half mile north. My distant
cousins' family operated the motel, er, tourist court, there as
well as a cafe. Cousin Johnny made spare change at the filling station
running a wrecker service on Route 66. He chargesd rich folks plenty,
but a family in need he didn't charge at all.
I missed Estacado. It's still there on the Crosby/Lubbock county
line, and was once a county seat for many counties back when. Gin
still operating with maybe 5 or 6 homes still occupied. Once a quaker
settlement named Marietta.
Thanks for an interesting [magazine]. Keep up the good work. - Benny
Poulson, Ralls, Texas, September 12, 2006
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