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The
Odd Fellows Hall in McGregor
Photo by John Troesser |
History in
a Pecan Shell
A doctor with the redundant name of Gregor McGregor granted the railroad
a right-of-way and thereby earned the honor of having the town named
after him. Like nearby Waco,
McGregor was blessed with artesian springs. Lots were sold from a
railroad flatcar in September of 1882 by a state land commisioner.
In short order, McGregor was drawing off the populations of smaller
communities and one (Banks) even transferred their post office to
McGregor in October of 1882.
During WWII, an Army Ordnance plant just outside of McGregor brought
in enough workers to triple the population. After the war, the plant
“beat swords into plowshares” by manufacturing stoves and other pacific
appliances.
The election of George W. Bush as President may well help McGregor
economically. It’s possible that the town may benefit in the same
way Fredericksburg
did during LBJ’s terms. It’s the closest town to Bush’s farm at Crawford,
Texas. Fredericksburg was the nearest populated area to Stonewall
and LBJ’s
ranch.
Today Amtrak’s Chicago to Los Angeles Texas Eagle makes a stop
in McGregor at the depot. The neat little waiting room is air-conditioned
and is furnished with the old railroad pew-type seating and a soft
drink machine (Dr. Pepper of course).
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The
McGregor Depot / Amtrak Station
Photo by John Troesser |
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Texas
Theatre in McGregor
Photo by John Troesser |
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The
McGinley Memorial Library, formerly the Ritz Theatre, 317 Main Street
Photo by John Troesser |
McGregor
Attractions
Amsler Park:
just north of town on Hwy 317.
The Spradley
Telephone Museum: 921 W. 3rd Street
The McGinley
Memorial Library at 317 Main contains movie memorabilia in the balcony
section. Hours are Tuesday through Friday afternoons 1 to 5 and
Saturday mornings 9 to 1. 254-840-3732
McGregor
Tourist Information
McGregor
Chamber of Commerce
303 South Main 254-840-2292
City website: www.mcgregor-texas.com
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NATIVE
SONS
Johnnie High
by Dorothy Hamm (From "Words and Music" Column)
Today almost every county in Texas has an “opry,” a country music
variety show that showcases local talent., but that has not always
been the norm. In 1975, when Johnnie High, a handsome, super-personable
entertainer who had been picking and singing since his early teens,
dreamed of establishing a wholesome, quality, country music show using
local “unproven” talent, his friends told him there was no way it
would succeed.
Thirty years later, Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue is a
North Central Texas "institution" that has earned international recognition,
growing into one of our most enduring country music traditions. more |
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