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History
in a Pecan Shell
Also spelled as Samfordyce, the town became the western terminus
of the Sam Fordyce branch of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico
Railroad in 1904. Samuel Fordyce, Sr., was a financier of the SLB&M.
He didn’t take a direct role in the development of the town, nor is
it known if he ever visited his namesake, which was a shipping point
for goods that were bound for Rio
Grande City.
A post office opened in 1905. The census of 1910 did not list Sam
Fordyce as a town, despite the fact that there was a hotel, post office
and store.
Establishment of the town was thwarted by unclear ownership of properties
and a failure to irrigate the land. Hope revived during 1916-1917,
when the Army used the site in conjunction with nearby Fort
Ringgold, but in a few short years the troops were reassigned
and only 75 civilians remained. The railroad extended its line to
Rio Grande
City and Fort
Ringgold, dashing any remaining hopes of growth.
During the Great Depression through the 1960s, the population was
given as 125.
It dropped to only 85 during the 1970s and 80s, an the town had all
but disappeared by 1990.
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Texas
Escapes,
in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas,
asks that anyone wishing to share their local history and vintage/historic
photos, please contact
us.
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