Chico, Texas, Wise County. (original) (raw)
Chico Texas about 1908
Photo courtesy Edward Clark
History in a Pecan Shell
In a state filled with towns named after Southern, Eastern and even Northern towns, Chico is one of the few named after a Western town - in this case Chico, California.
According to the Handbook of Texas - J. T. Brown moved to the area in the mid-1870s and opened a store.
A church and school were opened and a post office was granted in 1882.
The railroad (the Rock Island) reached Chico and it became an important cotton shipping point.
Oil was discovered near Chico in the early 1940s and the economy diversified from being totally agricultural.
Chico also produced crushed stone and at one time the town had four large gravel plants.
Photographer's Note:
"A nice town to visit." -
The Siddons-Barnes Log Cabin
This is a case of practicality. This tiny (256 square foot) cabin is believed to have been built in the 1870s serving as both schoolhouse and church before being bought by a Doctor Siddon in 1883. Siddon and his wife enclosed the cabin by building other rooms around it and when it was sold in 1918 it became the property of a family named Barnes. (See Buildings Inside Buildings)
In the 1970s when the added rooms were being demolished, the cabin nucleus was found and saved. It was moved while the lot was cleared and then moved back to this site in 1987.
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Rear view of the cabin. TE photo February 2004 |
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Siddons-Barnes log cabin historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2015
The Old Drugstore
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2015
Chico, Texas Forum
- Subject: Chico Texas photo
This is photo of what is claimed to be Chico Texas about 1908, I found it in with some other old photos of a friend David Piker, it had been given to him by "Jackie Roberson' who may have lived on or had a Cattle farm near there. David was a very giving person. Thank you. - Edward Clark, La Mesa Ca, June 11, 2006 - Subject: BARNES/SIDDON
Just wanted to say Thank you for this article! It was forward to me by my daughter in law. In 1955 I married Roger Barnes, changing my last name from Siddons to Barnes. We are now planning a trip to see Chico, Texas and look up the Siddon/Barnes sight. Maybe we will find out some family history too. - Nancy {Siddons} Barnes, June 04, 2006
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