|
BROOKSTON,
TEXAS
Lamar
County, Central
Texas North
33° 37' 23" N, 95° 41' 58" W (33.623056, -95.699444)
FM 38, FM 1506, and FM 1509
just south of Hwy 82
5 Miles W of Paris
Population: 70 (2000, 1990)
Brookston
Texas Area Hotels Paris
Hotels |
 |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Settled
around 1870, the town benefited from the economic “Panic of ‘73”
when the Texas and Pacific Railroad stopped construction and briefly
made the new town the terminus of the line. A post office opened
in 1873 and the name chosen was Brookston after A.D. Brooks, the
landowner who had donated his property. Ten years later the population
was around 100 citizens and by 1890 it had risen to 500.
Shortly thereafter, the town received telephone service and businesses
included a candy store and a wagonmaker. In the first few years
of the 20th century Brookston’s population declined. From 237 residents
in 1904 it rose to 300 by the mid 1920s but by 1930 it was down
to only 130. Businesses closed during the Great Depression and in
1957 schools had merged with the West Lamar ISD. That year the town
reported 250 residents. From 200 residents in 1970, Brookston’s
population fell to just 70 by 1990, the same number as for the year
2000.
|
 |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|