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History in
a Pecan Shell
An
early rancher named Shahan settled here in the 1840s and the place
was originally refered to as Shahan's Prairie. The date of
the name change is not known. But what is known is that several pioneering
residents (around 1845) had moved to Texas from their hometown of
Lebanon, Tennessee.
The town was granted a post office in 1860 but early population figures
aren't available. First reports come from 1890 when it was estimated
that 450 people were in residence.
In 1902 the St. Louis, San Francisco and Texas Railroad bypassed Lebanon
- dashing hopes of growth. The residents looked for the nearest railroad
connection - which they found three miles away in Frisco.
The post office closed in 1905. and the population dwindled. By the
time the 1940 census was taken, only 50 people were counted.
Photographer's Note:
"Yesterday my wife and I visited Frisco,
Texas. As you will see in the [following] images, two of the buildings
were from a town named Lebanon, Texas---they're the only two remaining
buildings." - Dave Cole
Crozier-Sickles House ›
Lebanon Baptist Church › |
Crozier-Sickles
House (in Frisco)
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
Crozier
family portrait
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
| "The community
of Lebanon was a thriving community until 1902, when the railroad
bypassed its location. Many Lebanon residents and businesses then
moved to Frisco." |
Red door of
the Crozier-Sickles House
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
Lebanon
Baptist Church
(in Frisco)
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
Lebanon
Baptist Church tower & bell
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
Lebanon
Baptist Church members
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
Lebanon
Baptist Church interior
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
| "The interior
of the Lebanon Baptist Church has been meticulously restored to represent
how it looked when it was built. The tin ceilings and wooden floors
reflect the turn of the century feel of the church. The pews have
been in use since the building was dedicated in 1904." |
Lebanon
Baptist Church upright piano
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
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Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015 |
| "The community
of Lebanon was located about 3 miles south of downtown Frisco
along Preston Road. Lebanon Baptist Church sat at the southern boundary
of the township, located near the present-day intersection of Preston
Road and John Hickman Parkway. The majority of the homes and businesses
were on the west side of Preston Road. Nothing remains today of Lebanon." |
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See also:
Lebanon - Hill County ghost town
Lebanon - Live
Oak County ghost town
Frisco - where both the
Lebanon Baptist Church & the Crozier-Sickles House are displayed
today
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| 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. |
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