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History
in a Pecan Shell
Founded in 1890, the town had been named Wright, after a local preacher.
On the stage coach line from Canyon
to Plainview, with a school, post
ofiice and store, it had everything a 19th Century town needed to prosper.
When the railroad arrived in 1906, the post office / store moved to the rails.
The town was renamed for Pioneer George H. Kress.
In 1909 a promotional
booklet gave the town's population as 500 - a number that was probably inflated.
The first school opened in 1907. In 1915 the first garage and filling station
was erected, a grain elevator was built, and a weekend rodeo was organized for
local recreation.
The main highway through town (Hwy 87) has moved twice
- forcing businesses to relocate as well. Infrastructure in the form of electricity
and gas were introduced in the late 1920s.
Kress was home to over 650
people by 1953. A bank opened in 1963 - ending a bank-less period that had lasted
from the 30s to that date.
Kress,
Texas Photo Gallery |
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"Kress was home
to all of my grandparents. I lived there from 1943 to 1948. I planted the pine
tree just south of our house on old 87 across the street from and just north of
Losson's Service Station in 1943. The last time I was there it still stood and
was the only pine tree in Kress.
Here are a few vintage photos. It was
great to live in a town where everyone was a friend." - Jack Williams,
July 12, 2005 |
| Mary,
Jack and Vida Williams, 1943 |
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"The photo is looking east from our house (the one by the pine tree) toward
the grain elevator run by our next door neighbor, Marvin Morton." - Jack
Williams |
| "Yvonne
and Jack in 1938 or 39 at the home of Oscar Williams. The camera is looking East.
Across the street to the right, is the old Church of Christ. The old Church was
just west of the present church and faced West." - Jack Williams |
Kress, Texas
ForumKress
of New Deal
I just wanted to share the fact that I was actually named after this town. My
parents grew up in Lubbock and although I was raised in the small town of New
Deal, we have a family tradition of names beginning with K, so I became Kress.
I have been to Kress a few times but all I can remember is the Alsups [store].
When I was younger people would tell me that I should run for mayor of Kress.
I am just not old enough yet! - Kress Hoopes, Odessa Texas, October 10, 2008
Remembering Christmas
by Louise George | |
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