Lebanon, Texas, Collin County Ghost Town. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
An early rancher named Shahan settled here in the 1840s and the place was originally refered to as Shahan's Prairie. The date of the name change is not known. But what is known is that several pioneering residents (around 1845) had moved to Texas from their hometown of Lebanon, Tennessee.
The town was granted a post office in 1860 but early population figures aren't available. First reports come from 1890 when it was estimated that 450 people were in residence.
In 1902 the St. Louis, San Francisco and Texas Railroad bypassed Lebanon - dashing hopes of growth. The residents looked for the nearest railroad connection - which they found three miles away in Frisco.
The post office closed in 1905. and the population dwindled. By the time the 1940 census was taken, only 50 people were counted.
Photographer's Note:
"Yesterday my wife and I visited Frisco, Texas. As you will see in the [following] images, two of the buildings were from a town named Lebanon, Texas---they're the only two remaining buildings." - Dave Cole
Crozier-Sickles House ›
Lebanon Baptist Church ›
Crozier-Sickles House
Crozier-Sickles House (in Frisco)
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Crozier family portrait
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
"The community of Lebanon was a thriving community until 1902, when the railroad bypassed its location. Many Lebanon residents and businesses then moved to Frisco."
Red door of the Crozier-Sickles House
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Lebanon Baptist Church
Lebanon Baptist Church (in Frisco)
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Lebanon Baptist Church tower & bell
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Lebanon Baptist Church members
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Lebanon Baptist Church interior
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
"The interior of the Lebanon Baptist Church has been meticulously restored to represent how it looked when it was built. The tin ceilings and wooden floors reflect the turn of the century feel of the church. The pews have been in use since the building was dedicated in 1904."
Lebanon Baptist Church upright piano
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
Photo courtesy David Cole, July 2015
"The community of Lebanon was located about 3 miles south of downtown Frisco along Preston Road. Lebanon Baptist Church sat at the southern boundary of the township, located near the present-day intersection of Preston Road and John Hickman Parkway. The majority of the homes and businesses were on the west side of Preston Road. Nothing remains today of Lebanon."
See also:
Lebanon - Hill County ghost town
Lebanon - Live Oak County ghost town
Frisco - where both the Lebanon Baptist Church & the Crozier-Sickles House are displayed today
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