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History in
a Pecan Shell
Although a ferry
operated near here as early as 1850, things didn’t get humming until
a man named James Lane saw potential on this site and made a large
land purchase in 1869. Being on Steele Creek and very near the Brazos
River. it seemed assured of growth and permanence.
Unlike hundreds of Texas towns bypassed by arriving railroads, Fowler
scored with the Texas Central Railroad (Later to become the KATY)
upon its arrival in 1880. That same year a post office opened and
by the mid 1880s, the town had a (then) respectable population of
50.
Beside the essential businesses, Fowler also had its own doctor, a
flour mill and several cotton gins. The population is said to have
peaked at around 150 residents in the mid 1890s. By 1914 it had declined
to half that figure.
The change of name came about in 1916 when the post office wanted
to honor the post surgeon of nearby Fort Graham, Doctor J. M. Steiner.
Some reports state that the reason for the change of name was due
to Dr. Steiner marrying the postmaster’s daughter.
In 1925 Steiner had just 64 residents which shrank even further during
the Great Depression. By 1939 when economic recovery was on the horizon,
Steiner was down to a single business and only 20 residents.
Steiner was evacuated in 1950 when it was deemed too close for comfort
to Lake Whitney. But a population of 20 people continued to be counted
from the 1960s through the 2000 census. The old Baptist Church was
rescued and moved to higher ground. |
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Steiner, Texas
Forum
Steiner / Fowler,
Texas was suggested for inclusion by Mr. Larry McAdoo, who wrote:
Subject:
Ghost town Steiner / Fowler, Texas
"While researching genealogy on my family in Texas I uncovered
information about a town whose existence was hard to verify. I have
substantial family history in the beginnings of Bosque County. My
GGGrandfather James Emsley Douglas McAdoo settled in Bosque County
about 1853, prior to it being officially formed. I have land deed
transactions and various information that family members were in
the eastern-most parts of the county from Plowman Creek near Kopperl
and south to Steele Creek where they remained until the turn of
the century. One recent discovery was Fowler, Texas, as indicated
on numerous family records I was able to find a death certificate
for the birth of a nephew of my GGrandfather indicating he was born
in Fowler, Texas in 1876. Since I did not find any information about
either of the town names in your magazine, I thought this might
be of interest to fellow researchers.” - Larry McAdoo, January 28,
2014
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Bosque
County 1920s map showing Fowler/Steiner
(Above
"E" in "BOSQUE")
Modification of Texas General Land Office 1920s map
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Bosque
County 1907 postal map showing Fowler
(Above "E" in "BOSQUE")
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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