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History in
a Pecan Shell
Originally known as White Flat for the local terrain, the name
posed a problem when a post office was applied for around 1890. The
town was then renamed after Vera Kellogg, the daughter of early an
early settler (Holt Kellogg).
Stock-raising and farming were the first businesses and these were
joined by cotton production about
1900. During a series of school consolidations, Vera came out on top
- but finally lost out in 1960 when students started attending classes
in Seymour or Benjamin.
From just 100 people reportedly living there in 1960, Vera hit a record
high in 1970 with 276 people and then declining to 176 in 1980. Both
1990 and 2000 figures tie with the 276 people enumerated in 1970. |
Yea, Vera-ly…
by Rick Vanderpool
Coming into the small community of VERA (Knox
County, Texas) from the west on US82/TX114, attached to the speed
limit sign is one that reads simply VERA. No welcome to… No population
figure… Just VERA.
Immediately on the left, is a residence with a sizeable sign on the
front that declares, GRAY FOX. Raises lots of questions, none of which
I had time to pursue this visit. A hundred yards further up 82/114
the roof of a nice structure (looked like an impressive residence
once upon a time) screamed in large, faded red letters, HOMESTYLE
MEALS. Same thing on the east side roof. No other signage and I assume
that nothin's cookin' at this address these days. |
| No more than
a dozen other residences (or buildings of any sort, for that matter)
are visible from the highway, but taking a North at a sign for the
cemetery, I noted a couple more residences. VERA Cemetery was as quiet
and peaceful as, well, you know… |
| Back to the highway,
then a South at a sign for VERA Baptist Church. A few more nice residences
were tucked among the trees along this little lane. Back to the highway.
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| About the center
of town, is the former VERA Post Office – zip code 76383. Next to
it with ample parking is the VERA Community Center, a large, open
pavilion, complete with basketball hoop at one end and enclosed meeting
room on the other. In between were two large pews and two picnic tables.
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| VERA has one
or two former enterprises, now empty buildings. One is for sale and
the others' structural integrity might be in serious doubt – just
a casual observation, from a safe distance. I noted the ubiquitous
collection of new and very used agricultural equipment, strewn along
the highway, rusting quietly until next season. Or the next life. |
The VERA United
Methodist Church is located at the eastern boundary of the little
town, and the next thing I knew, I was in Baylor County.
©
Rick
Vanderpool
Texas Plains Trail Journal entry for April 24, 2010 |
A Visit to
Vera after Winter Frost
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| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history
and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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