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History
in a Pecan Shell
A settlement called Hickory Hill was
nearby in the early 1840s. A post office opened there in 1848 and the East Line
and Red River Railroad arrived in 1876. A station was built where Avinger would
later appear.
The businesses from Hickory Hill started relocating to
be near the rails and by 1877 even the post office moved. Dr. H. J. Avinger, who
also operated a store, had the town renamed in his honor. The population was 100
by 1892 and by 1914 it was estimated to be 500.
Prior to the Great Depression,
the town was up to 700 which declined to 450 through the 1930s. The Lone Star
Steel Plant was built just west of town during World
War II. In 1949 the town renewed itself by rebuilding its infrastructure and
paving its streets. A new high school was built as well as a water and sewer system.
The population peaked at 750 people in 1960. The 1990 Census reported 478 people
which has remained at about that level in 2000. | |
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