| |
 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
The town was named after Capt. J. G. C. Arthur as a stop on the St. Louis-San
Francisco Railroad in 1886. Captain Arthur had donated the railroad right-of-way
and platted a town of twelve blocks. 1886 also saw the opening of the post office
with Mr. Arthur serving as postmaster.
The population reached 300 by
1890. Timber was the base of the towns early economy but as the timber was cut
the population moved on many to the opportunities offered by Dallas.
By 1914 only the most basic businesses remained in operation and the population
was reduced by half. It grew to 200 residents through the 20s and 30s but during
WWII it was reduced to around
100.
It reached bedrock in the late 1950s with a mere 60 people. The
development of Pat Mayse Lake gave the town a boost in the 1960s and 1970s.
By 1961 the population was back to 300 but it again declined to around 200.
By 1989 Arthur City reported a population of 200 the same number given on the
2008 state map. |
 |
1907
Lamar County postal map showing Arthur City
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| 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. | |
|
