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History
in a Rice Hull
Named for J. R.
Cheek, the community was platted in 1906 when rice cultivation was
still relatively new. Cheek had the good fortune to be alongside the
tracks of the Gulf and Interstate Railroad.
Most residents were rice farmers who used the canal system belonging
to the Beaumont Irrigating Company.
Cheek’s population has always been small. Forty residents were reported
there in the mid 1920s. It’s proximity to Beaumont
(to say nothing of being surrounded by rice fields) created a feeling
of isolation.
The school district had a PWA school built during the Great Depression,
but it was consolidated with Beaumont
schools in 1951. The population is still well under 100 (62 reported
for both the 1990 and 2000 census).
Cheek’s location is marked by the large Goodyear plant (nearby). Visible
from Interstate 10. |
Jefferson
County 1907 Postal Map showing Cheek
SW of Beaumont
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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