Mesquite, Texas, Dallas County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Mesquite began life when the Texas and Pacific Railroad came through in 1873 and established William Bradfield as the town's railroad agent (and semi-official first settler). A post office was established the following year. The name comes from Mesquite Creek - a local stream. Mesquite drew off residents from the hamlets of New Hope, Long Creek, Scyene and Haught's Store, however the population was still a mere 135 people by 1890.

Jesse James, Cole Younger, and Belle Starr reportedly lived in the vicinity and Sam Bass is said to have robbed a train with his SWAG estimated to have been the tidy sum of $30,000.

From only 1,696 people in 1950, the population of Mesquite jumped to 27,526 in only ten years.

Mesquite Tourists Information

Mesquite Chamber of Commerce
617 North Ebrite, Mesquite, TX75149
PO Box 850115, Mesquite, Texas 75185-0115
972-285-0211

Lucas Farms Packers
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/

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