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Rhome
Ranch letterhead
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
History in
a Pecan Shell
A group of former
Missourians can be credited with founding Rhome. It dates from the
late 1850s when it was then known as Prairie Point. The spot
was the juncture of two stage lines – a natural spot for town founding.
A post office opened in 1858 and within a few years the community
was second only to Decatur.
But by 1863 the community was all but deserted. In 1882 the railroad
arrived (nearby) and the town was renamed after rancher Byron C.
Rhome. A new post office opened under the new name in 1883.
The town had 175 residents in the early 1890s and was home to two
flour mills – one of which produced a product called Gold Medal
flour. The name was acquired in the 1930s by General Mills – and can
still be found on grocery shelves.
Highway 81 was built through Rhome in the late 1930s and population
estimates have stayed within the 400-600 range until the 1990 census
when it reached 605. The 2000 census shows a slight decline to 551. |
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Old Mill On Old
Mill Street
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2007 |
| 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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