MERRILLTOWN, TEXAS

Texas Ghost Town
Travis County, Texas Hill Country

2 Miles S of McNeil
About 10 Miles N of Downtown Austin
Population: Included in that of greater Austin

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History in a Pecan Shell

The community dates from 1837 when first settler (Captain) Nelson Merrill arrived. He opened a store a short time later (which became the community post office in 1851). Although the population was a mere 35 residents by the mid 1880s, the community was self-sufficient with its own gin, gristmill, store, church and school. Ten years later the population had risen to an estimated 100 residents. The post office closed the same year as the one in nearby Duval, Texas and soon both towns were on the route of the Round Rock post office.

Merrilltown schools were merged with Round Rock and Pflugerville schools in 1949. Although some houses marked the community on the Travis county map in the 1940s, Merrilltown has disappeared after being annexed by Austin.

1940s Travis County & partial Williamson County map showing
McNeil, Duval, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Austin.
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Footnote in Merrilltown’s History:

Austinite Anna Galloway suggested Merrilltown for inclusion in our town pages and included this personal footnote in Merrilltown’s history:

“My father lived in Merrilltown, Texas... the family home stood where the water tank is currently located to the west of Mopac toll-road. [He] and his dad saw the smoke from a fire at Duval. He saddled up horses for himself and 2 or 3 sons and took tools to fight the fire. My dad said they were too late as the Merchantile Store was the building that started the fire. A strong wind had blown embers to the roof of each house in the small town. All houses burned except one and it was later moved south of its former location. The buildings owned by the railroad did not burn nor did the depot and the post office. There were five other houses located on small farms that did not burn. The depot was closed and moved in the late 1920's or early 1930's. Post Office closed as well. - Anna Galloway, Austin

Take a road trip

Merrilltown, Texas Nearby Towns:
Austin the county seat
Duval
Round Rock
Pflugerville
Georgetown
See Travis County

Texas Hill Country

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