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History in
a Pecan Shell
Originally called
Caps Sides, Texas, View came into being as an investment of
a land development company who was betting on the future growth of
the town – built alongside the railroad tracks. (Caps,
Texas had already been established nearby.)
View’s name came from a slightly elevated hilltop location. The community
was registered in August of 1910 with the railroad depot being the
town’s first building.
A post office was granted that same year and other businesses opened
– including a lumberyard and a general store. The population reached
40 residents in the community’s fourth year. One building served as
school and church until a bond issue allowed the construction of a
separate two-room schoolhouse.
The hopes that the developers had for View didn’t materialize. It
is thought, however, that Views proximity to Abilene
and the existence of a ready-made railroad depot made the establishment
of Camp Barkeley in
WWII a reality.
In the late 1980s View reported seventy-one residents and 75 for the
1990 census. |
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View, Texas
Today
Photographer's
Note:
The Baptist Church, fire department and a gas/grocery store are about
all that's there except for homes. Back in the 50's View was a passenger
pickup for one of the railroads that passed south of Abilene (Union
Pacific/ Southern Pacific?). The Texas and Pacific passed through
town and had the terminal there. View was pretty much smack in the
middle of Camp Barkeley
when it was active, if the town existed at all. The railroad was probably
the main supply route to Barkeley.
Nothing remain at the railroad tracks today. - Mike
Price, April 02, 2010 |
View Baptist
Church
Photo courtesy Mike
Price, 2007 |
| 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
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