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

Lamar County TX
Lamar County


Texas Towns
A - Z

Paris Hotels

More Hotels

ROXTON, TEXAS

Lamar County, Central Texas North / East Texas

33°32'44"N 95°43'30"W (33.545595, -95.724929)

Farm roads 137 and 38
18 miles SW of Paris the county seat
38 miles NW of Sulphur Springs
Population: 642 (2010) 694 (2000)

Book Hotel HereParis Hotels

Former depot in Roxton Texas
Former Roxton Depot
Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008
More Texas Depots

History in a Pecan Shell

A timeline of significant events in Roxton's history:
1837: Originaly named Fort Shelton, Roxton was established by Jesse Shelton, an early settler who had settled on Cane Creek (three miles southwest of the present location).
1853: The community was known as Prairie Mount when the first post office was granted.
1869: The post office is renamed Roxton. The new name is believed to be a simplification of Rockstown or Rockston; it refers either to a prominent white limestone outcropping or to a distinctive rock gate built by a local landowner.
1887: The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway was extended just west of the original location of Roxton in order to connect with the Paris and Great Northern Railroad.
The town moved to the railroad and the original townsite became Old Roxton.
1890: Population reaches 226
1914: Population reaches 1,200 and Roxton gets it's own telephone company.
1974: Roxton is incorporated



Roxton

By Mike Cox ("Texas Tales" column)

Anyone who knew how the community of Prairie Mount came to be called Roxton is long buried in Roxton's cemetery, a resting place graced by lighted Texas and U.S. flags that fly around the clock.

Unless you're from Lamar County, chances are you haven't even heard of Roxton, much less how its name evolved.

Only 18 miles from Paris (Texas, not France), it seems much farther. No straight road connects Roxton to Paris or any other place, for that matter. The farm to market roads leading to town twist and turn with the contours and drainage of the land.

Settlement in the area began in 1837.... more



Roxton, Texas Landmarks


Downtown Roxton Texas
Downtown Roxton
Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008

City Drug Store, Roxton Texas
City Drug Store
Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008
More Texas drug stores

City Drug Store, Roxton Texas
City Drug Store
Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008
More Texas drug stores

Roxton Texas church
Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008
More Texas Churches

Roxton Texas former gas station
Former Mobile Station
Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008
More Texas Gas Stations

Roxton Texas mural
Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008
More Texas Murals

Photo courtesy Mike Price, April 2008
"Located on FM 38 as you enter the town from the north, this bridge is one of only three to exist in Texas - a WPA railroad bridge that was built using bricks and mortar." - Robin Jett
Roxton Bridges

Roxton, Texas Forum
Your information regarding the establishment of a fort near Roxton, Texas, is incorrect. It was established by Jesse Shelton, who was the father of Eli Shelton -- not Eli Shelton as stated. Jesse Shelton was my great, great, great grandfather. His son Eli was just a child when Fort Shelton was established. Thank you. - Lou Carolyn Rutherford, August 17, 2004


Take a road trip

Central Texas North | East Texas

Roxton, Texas Nearby Towns:
Paris the county seat
Sulphur Springs
See Lamar County

Book Hotel Here:
Paris 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 recent or vintage photos, please contact us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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
Cotton Gins
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
Cotton
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