Mexia, Texas, Limestone County. (original) (raw)
The First Presbyterian Church in Mexia
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, August 2005
History in a Pecan Shell
Named for the Mex�a family, whose ownership dates to 1833, things were pretty quiet in these parts until the railroad arrived. Mexia was platted in 1870 by the Houston and Texas Central Townsite Company, a sister company of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. Lots went on sale in 1871 when the tracks between Hearne and Groesbeck were still under contstruction. A post office was granted in 1872, and Mexia was incorporated the following year.
By 1880 Mexia had a sizeable population of 1,800 with four schools and three churches. By 1885 the population was up to 2,000 residents. The Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway built through between 1904 and 1906 - connecting Hillsboro and Houston, and making making Mexia a railroad crossroads.
In 1912 a large natural gas deposit was discovered by the Mexia Gas and Oil Company. Oil was discovered in 1920, creating an instant boomtown that rivaled the boom in Ranger. From just 3,482 people the population exploded to an estimated 35,000 in 1922, causing martial law to be (briefly) declared.
After the initial boom, the population decreased to a more manageable 10,000 by the mid-20s, but the onset of the Great Depression forced people to leave Mexia to find greener pastures. The population stabilized around 6,500 in the early 1930s, but the number of businesses reported fell by one third. A German Prisoner of War Camp was built in Mexia in 1942. (See WWII) The population was given as 6,618 in the early 1950s, not far from today's figure of 7,459.
Corsicana and Powell Oil Fields Geologic Map showing Mexia-Groesbeck Gas Field.
Click on image to enlarge.
Wikimedia Commons
Mexia, Texas Area Attractions
Fort Parker State Park
On Park Road 28 off State Hwy 14
5 Miles SW of Mexia
TE Photo 2007
Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site
194 Park Road 28 Mexia TX 76667
254/562-5751
S of Mexia on Hwy 14,
another 2.5 miles west on FM 2705.
Mexia, Texas Forum
Subject: Thank You to Mexia
Dear TE, Many Many years ago, I lived in Mexia, and have very fond memories of how good and community-minded the people were. I now live in a big town in New Jersey, and it is much different here. I am not a native, but my daughter is a Mexia native. When I became ill one year, all the churches First United Methodist, and the Presbyterian Church, and First Baptist Church all got together and made suppers for me till I got better. These things never go forgotten. One day I will take my daughter back to Mexia and show her the house she spent her first three years. Thank you. - Judi Blau, New Jersey, November 29, 2006Book Hotel Here › Mexia Hotels
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