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KIRTLEY,
TEXAS
Once known as Primm,
Texas
Texas Ghost Town
Fayette County, Central Texas S
Highway 71
12 Miles West of La Grange
4 Miles East of Smithville
Population: Unknown
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Grazing
on a levee of the Colorado River
TE photo, February 2007
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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 |
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Friday
Austin to Houston Traffic on Hwy 71
TE photo, February 2007
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Sand
Pit or UFO Crash Site? "North" Kirtley
TE photo, February 2007
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