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History in a Pecan
Shell
Once a plantation belonging to William E. Kendall, it was subdivided
after the Civil War and the lots sold to the former slaves. The community took
the name Kendleton.
In 1882 the ambitious but under-financed New York,
Texas and Mexican Railway Company (The "Macaroni" Line) passed through Kendleton
on its way to Victoria. A post office
was granted in 1884 and by 1890 Kendleton had a population of 25.
In 1896
Kendleton had grown to three stores, two churches and was the center of activity
for the estimated 2,000 people who lived in the area. In 1900 116 residents lived
in Kendleton proper.
The population of Kendleton declined to 36 in the
mid 1930s and remained between 150 to 200 people through the early 1970s. Incorporated
in 1973, the population increased to 600. Population was 466 in 2000, increased
to the 2007 estimate of 525. | |
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