| |
History in a Pecan
Shell
In the 1850s, the town was originally named Whiteside's Prairie.
That one didn't take so they settled on Cockrill's Hill. The ground water was
so mineral rich that it was unfir for human consumption. Citizens built cisterns
to keep rainwater and in 1858 when the application was sent to Washington for
a post office, Cistern was the name submitted - and granted. It was to close with
the onset of the Great Depression in 1930 and the maio routed from Flatonia.
Like much of Fayette County, Cistern's population consisted of Anglo-Americans
and German, and Czech immigrants. By 1900 the population was a healthy (for a
town without a railroad) 150 people. Businesses included a store, combination
drugstore / saloon, a blacksmith, cotton gin and a doctor.
In 1950 the
population was still 150, but by then the town had two stores along with two garages,
and a consolidated high school employing five teachers. Oil was discovered and
a few wells continue to produce to this day - several of them inside the gates
of the cemetery. During the 1980s the population declined to 75. |
Cistern
Texas ForumAnyone
wishing to share history or photos of Cistern, Texas, please contact
us. | |
|
