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INDIAN GAP,
TEXASHamilton County,
North Central Texas
FM 218 and FM 1702
17 miles W of Hamilton
35 miles E of Brownwood
42 miles S of Stephenville
Population:
36
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Indian
Gap Schoolhouse, 1920s
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com |
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The
1913 Indian Gap School
Photo
courtesy Jason Penney, whose grandfather and other relatives once
attended the Indian Gap school |
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History in
a Pecan Shell
Indian Gap's name came about when it was noticed that the Comanches
came through this gap in the mountains when they would raid the
settlers. We have to admire the stoicism and powers of observation
of the settlers, who you would think would be fleeing in terror,
rather than noting the route of their enemies.
1857 is the date the Handbook of Texas gives for the first
settlement of the area. A Mr. Hawley Gerrells was credited with
opening the first post office in his home, which soon became a store.
Church services were held there as well, and it was said to be a
social center of the community, whatever that meant in the mid -1800s.
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Another
view of Indian Gap today
Faded
lettering reads:
Carl Reinert - dealer in General Merchandise
Photo courtesy Jason Penney |
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A
man by the name of H.A. Shipman farmed the area for several years
before buying out Gerrells' store and post office in 1889. Although
the community never reached a population rivaling the colossus of
Goldthwaite
or Hamilton, nonetheless,
it had a hotel, and a weekly newspaper as well as the usual businesses
essential for 19th century life.
The school was closed about 1950 and the post office shut its doors
in 1972. We haven't yet seen the new census report as of this writing,
but the estimated head count in 1990 was 36 people.
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Brownwood
Hotels
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Hotels
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Indian Gap,
Texas Forum
Anyone wishing
to share history or photos of Indian Gap, Texas, please contact
us.
©
John Troesser
More photos by Jason
Penney |
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