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History in
a Pecan Shell
Thalia was first known as Paradise. But when it came time to
apply for a post office they learned that Wise
County had beat them to the name. They re-submitted the name Thalia,
which was accepted and the post office opened in 1890 when the town
was still in Hardeman
County.
That same year a school was founded at the community. Thalia remained
in Hardeman
County until 1891 when Foard
County was organized. The townsite was platted in 1910 and when
oil was discovered Thalia’s future looked bright. But despite the
oil, the population was only (estimated at) 50 in the mid-1920s. |
The
Great Depression hit the town hard. The high school, finished in 1930,
closed in 1943. By 1950, the population was still less than 200 and
after the post office closed, the population declined to a mere 104.
The town did manage a brief place in the sun in 1966 when it appeared
in the movie Hud – an adaptation of Larry McMurtry's novel
Horseman, Pass By.
A Visit to
Thalia
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Cotton Wagons
and Church
See Cotton
TE photo, September, 2009 |
1920s Foard
County map showing Thalia
From Texas state map #10749
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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