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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. |
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1907
Lamar County postal map showing Arthur City
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
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