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History in a Pecan
Shell
The town sprang up in 1909 alongside the rails of the Southern
Pacific connecting Plainview and
Lubbock. Originally
named Monroe (after railroad promoter Monroe G. Abernathy), the name was
changed in 1949 when a post office opened. The name New Deal had been in use (since
1935) for the consolidated school district* under Franklin Roosevelt’s Depression-era
programs.
A school was built in 1917 and by the late 20s the town had
most essential businesses. The 1940 population was given as 125 residents. This
grew to 500 by 1970 – the year New Deal incorporated. From 637 people for the
1980 census, New Deal has grown to just over 700 for the 2000 census.
*formed
from the communities of Caldwell,
Center, Grovesville, and Monroe. |
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