Cego, Texas, Falls County. (original) (raw)

St Paul's United Church Of Christ in Cego
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, September 2004

History in a Pecan Shell

Once known by the bucolic name of Pleasant Valley, the town was disappointed to learn the name was already taken when they applied for a post office in the 1880s. The name Cego was submitted. Cego is said to have been an itinerant cotton picker - although no one remembers if Cego was a first or last name. The post office was granted in 1895 under the name of Cego, but only lasted ten years. Mail was thereafter directed to Eddy.

A school in (what was then) Pleasant Valley school began in the mid 1880s and continued in operation through 1900. Although the Cego population was a mere 35 people in 1910, the town continued to appear on maps. The population was said to number 200 people by the late 1940s. The Cego school merged with the Chilton ISD about that same time and while the official count was 98 through the 70s and 80s - people who knew better said it was closer to 50 - the same estimate today.

Falls County 1907 postal map showing Cego
SW of Marlin
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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