Bailey, Texas, Fannin County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Bailey dates from the 1850s, when the slightly rolling but extremely rich soil attracted cotton and corn farmers.

Unlike most towns in Texas that were named to honor an individual person or took the name of the first settler, this town had a rivalry between two physicians. Doctor A. J. Ray and Doctor Josiah S. Bailey both wanted the town named after them, but before it came to bloodshed, the St. Louis Southwestern Railway settled the matter by taking the right-of-way offered by Bailey (in 1885). The town was granted a post office in 1887. Bailey had a population of 300 by 1900 along with most essential businesses and an early �picture show.�

Bailey reached its high-water mark in the mid 1920s with 350 people.

The population declined during the Depression and WWII and by the mid-1950s it was down to just under 200. Bailey remains agricultural although cotton and corn have long since given way to cattle raising and small grain cultivation.

First Baptist Church of Bailey Historical Marker
Photos courtesy Mike Price, September 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 us.