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History in
a Pecan Shell
Electo Creek had several towns founded along its banks. Here,
a Mr. Carl Edward Riedel dammed the creek in 1869 and set up a small
gristmill shortly after others had settled there.
They decided to name the town in his honor when the time came for
a post office in 1871. The postal authorities granted the application,
but misspelled the name as Riddleville.
The town underwent a change of name in 1905 when newspaper publisher
E.G. Gillett of Runge was
honored for his contributions toward Riddleville's development.
The town's location made it a hub of activity for NE Karnes County.
The town was practically self-sufficient with post office, hotel,
café, two stores, two saloons, two drugstores and a school.
By the prosperous 20s Gillett had a population of nearly 200.
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