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Downtown
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2005 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
The
town was first settled back in the 1890s. With the arrival of the
railroad in 1909, Lawn became "Old Lawn" as "New" Lawn set up business
alongside the rails. Old Lawn declined as rapidly as most towns bypassed
by the railroad. The move also erased the name of Jim Ned from Texas
maps. Jim Ned had been the name of the community until a new post
office was opened in 1910. The person Jim Ned was a Delaware Indian
chief who had been a scout for the Texas militia during the years
of the Republic (and early statehood). |
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Lawn
Church
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2005 |
| The post office
and town changed names, but Jim Ned lives on in the name of the local
school district and Jim Ned Creek. The town reached its zenith in
that golden year of 1929 - with a reported 650 people. The population
shrank to around 300 during the Great Depression and remained at that
level for nearly 60 years. Then, in 1988 it shot up to 445, declined
to 358 in 1990 and today is shown on maps as 353. |
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The
Water Tower
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2005 |
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Vintage
Truck
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2005 |
Lawn Texas
Forum
Subject:
Jim Ned Remembered in California
I am the daughter of one Nelson Irvin Mixon, born at Jim Ned Creek
on February 18, 1892. The name Jim Ned still lives in memory, even
as far away as California. I had never before thought of looking
the name up on the 'net and was pleased to find there information
new to me. I'd never heard that the name of the town was derived
from that of an Indian chief. Thanks for you good work in keeping
alive the history of Texas. - Dolly Mixon Hei, Shafter, California,
June 17, 2007
Anyone
wishing to share history or photos of Jim Ned, the town, the man,
the creek or the school district, please contact
us.
© John Troesser
More Photos by
Barclay Gibson
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