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Temple
Theater in downtown Porterville, early 1900s
Photo courtesy Larry Randall |
History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally
named Juanita, after a woman no one remembers, the town was renamed by
Doctor Phil Porter of Michigan who started a health colony there in 1905. Porter
was convinced that the West Texas
climate was healthy and wholesome.
Doctor Porter platted the townsite
in1908, and modestly named it Porterville. A post office opened under the old
name of Juanita in 1909 but officially changed the name to Porterville, Texas
a year later.
The townspeople donated money and labor to build a community
building / school / church. Completed in 1909, it was moved to Mentone
(in 1931) where it still stands - the oldest
building in the county. The school held classes until 1935 when a new school
was built as well as the
standing courthouse.
Much needed Irrigation was planned, but too many
dams were built and the water level dropped. The acreage under irrigation dropped
from slightly over 1,000 to 600. People started moving away around 1913.
As the water became scarce and unfit for drinking, oil was discovered and Mentone
came into existence - just 2 miles to the northeast.
Porterville residents
drifted to Mentone until no one
was left. |
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Porterville
Texas Forum
Subject: Porterville Temple Theater Photo
This
photo was taken in downtown Porterville in the early 1900s and shows the Temple
Theater in the background. The ladies in the wagon most likely are Capitola (Newton)
Goodrich and her younger sister Celinda Newton. The Newton Girls were born and
raised in Eaton County, Michigan. Porterville's school teacher Miss Celinda Newton
returned to her home town in Eaton County, Michigan. Mrs Goodrich and her husband,
lived their lives in Loving County, Texas. They are buried in Charlotte, Eaton
County Michigan. - Larry Randall, Springport, Michigan, December 08, 2005
I
have a post card addressed to "Miss Celinda Newton" Dixieland, Texas. postmarked
1908. Ms. Newton was a school teacher in Porterville, Tx . It appears that they
must have used this mailing address before there was one closer.
Ms.
Newton is mentioned in the Porterville history, Loving County,TX online. She was
a sister to Mrs. Floyd Goodrich, longtime residents of that area. They were from
near here in MI. I am into a study of Porterville. - Larry Randall, Springport,
Michigan, March 17, 2005
See Lost
Towns of the Pecos > |
Texas
Escapes, in
its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone
wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic photos of
their town, please contact
us.
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