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| Grazing
on a levee of the Colorado River
TE photo, February 2007 |
History in
a Sandbox
The town, which is now divided into North Kirtley and South Kirtley (by Highway
71) is identified simply as Kirtley by one of those simple green signs. The town
dates back to 1831 when it was owned by one William Barton. Part of Barton's land
was sold to William Primm by 1840 - and a community named Primm grew around the
Barton Creek cemetery. The name is kept alive today by Pimm's Lake - but many
local residents are unaware that there had once been a town here.
Barton's
Creek, which is said to be named after Wayne Barton, veteran of San
Jacinto, flows 11.5 miles from its source upward into Bastrop County and then
returns to Fayette County to its mouth on the Colorado, 2.5 miles east of present-day
Kirtley.
The lone store that had operated in Primm moved to the highway
and the community became known as Kirtley (origin unknown). A post office had
been in operation from 1902 through 1927. Due to the proximity to Smithville
and La Grange, Kirtley was left in
an economic limbo producing only sand and gravel - an operation which is still
doing business alongside the railroad tracks. The extracted sand and gravel has
removed whatever was left of Primm. |
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Railroad
Bridge east of Kirtley on Hwy 71
TE photo, February 2007 |
The
Barton Creek Road
TE photo, February 2007 |
South
Kirtley Flood Gauge
TE photo, February 2007 |
Barton's
Creek Catholic Cemetery Gate
TE Photo 2003 |
Tombstone
Detail
TE Photo 2003 |
| Friday
Austin to Houston Traffic on Hwy 71
TE photo, February 2007 |
| Sand
Pit or UFO Crash Site? "North" Kirtley
TE photo, February 2007 |
|
Kirtley/
Primm was recommended for inclusion by Theresa Schader. | |
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