TexasEscapes.com HOME Welcome to Texas Escapes
A magazine written by Texas
Custom Search
New   |   Texas Towns   |   Ghost Towns   |   Counties   |   Trips   |   Features   |   Columns   |   Architecture   |   Images   |   Archives   |   Site Map

Jack County TX
Jack County

Texas Towns
A - Z
Hotels

BRYSON, TEXAS

Jack County, Central Texas North

33°9'38"N 98°23'16"W (33.160523, -98.387805)
Highway 380
14 Miles E of Graham & Lake Graham
14 miles W of Jacksboro the county seat
38 Miles NW of Mineral Wells
Population: 520 Est. (2016)
539 (2010) 528 (2000) 520 (1990)

Bryson, Texas Area Hotels › Graham Hotels
Bryson Texas store
Downtown Bryson
TE Photo, 2006

History in a Pecan Shell

It was once known as Mount Hecla - but no one can remember why. The community did have postal service under that name in 1878. Henry Bryson showed up and built a log cabin that same year and the name was changed in his honor. Mr. Bryson was evidently a persuavsive type for he later became a county commissioner. The Chicago, Rock Island and Texas Railway arrived in 1903 - always a milestone event in the life of a small town.

Despite it being alongside a railroad, Bryson remained a quiet town - described by the Handbook of Texas as "a business and school community of area cattlemen." Oil was discovered in Jack County in 1898, but no one really knew what to do with the stuff. By the 1920s they did and the town become a processing center.

Bryson was soon Jack County's "second city." Incorporated in 1931, it had just over 800 residents by 1947 - the high-water mark.

Oil production fell and people started leaving as the jobs and money evaporated. It was down to 450 by the late 70s but has since regained a few people.

In 1988 there were an estimated 690 residents and the figure for the 2010 was 539.

Historicial Marker - On Highway 380

Bryson

Jack County Petroleum Capital. Founder, Henry E. Bryson (September 1, 1839 - October 25, 1909), a Civil War veteran, farmer and stockraiser, built first log cabin here in 1878. After Bryson post office was established in 1882, the town developed as a center for the growing of cotton and grain. Rock Island Railroad reached here in 1902. The first oil well was drilled 1925; town in 1920s and 30s had a gasoline plant; from 1935 until late 1954 an oil refinery was in operation here. Churches, schools, social and civic clubs and Masonic bodies have contributed to growth.
(1968)

Take a road trip

Bryson, Texas Nearby Towns:
Jacksboro the county seat
Graham
Mineral Wells
See Jack County | Central Texas North

Book Hotel Here:
Graham Hotels | More Hotels
Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Texas Towns A - Z Texas Regions:
Gulf Texas Gulf Coast East East Texas North Central Texas North Central Woutn Central Texas South Panhandle Texas Panhandle
South South Texas Hill Texas Hill Country West West Texas Ghost Texas Ghost Towns counties Texas Counties

Texas Escapes Online Magazine »   Archive Issues » Home »
TEXAS TOWNS & COUNTIES TEXAS LANDMARKS & IMAGES TEXAS HISTORY & CULTURE TEXAS OUTDOORS MORE
Texas Counties
Texas Towns A-Z
Texas Ghost Towns

TEXAS REGIONS:
Central Texas North
Central Texas South
Texas Gulf Coast
Texas Panhandle
Texas Hill Country
East Texas
South Texas
West Texas

Courthouses
Jails
Churches
Schoolhouses
Bridges
Theaters
Depots
Rooms with a Past
Monuments
Statues

Gas Stations
Post Offices
Museums
Water Towers
Grain Elevators
Lodges
Stores
Banks

Vintage Photos
Historic Trees
Cemeteries
Old Neon
Ghost Signs
Signs
Murals
Gargoyles
Pitted Dates
Cornerstones
Then & Now

Columns: History/Opinion
Texas History
Small Town Sagas
Black History
WWII
Texas Centennial
Ghosts
People
Animals
Food
Music
Art

Books
Texas Railroads

Texas Trips
Texas Drives
Texas State Parks
Texas Rivers
Texas Lakes
Texas Forts
Texas Trails
Texas Maps
USA
MEXICO
HOTELS

Site Map
About Us
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer
Contributors
Staff
Contact Us

 
Website Content Copyright Texas Escapes LLC. All Rights Reserved