Morgan, Texas, city in Bosque County. (original) (raw)

First United Methodist Church of Morgan
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007

History in a Pecan Shell

Eight miles west of the Brazos, settlers along Steele Creek had applied for a Post Office by that name in September, 1879. Charles Whitney, President of the Texas Central Railway, had a different idea. His railroad had long planned a water stop and station at that location which he would name for his father-in-law, Charles Morgan, the railroad's previous owner who had died the year before (hence it is no coincidence that Whitney and Morgan were consecutive towns on the Texas Central.) A new application to the Post Office under the Morgan name was submitted in January, 1880. The tracks reached Morgan in April and continued west to Hico and beyond. Sixteen months later, the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway built northward through Morgan toward Cleburne, making Morgan a two-railroad town. (This paragraph by Jim King. See Namesake correction below.)

By the mid 1880s, Morgan had a thriving population of 600, which grew to an estimated 850 by the end of the century. The 20th Century wasn't as kind to Morgan as the 19th had been. From 830 people in 1910 it declined to less than 700 by the mid 1920s and just over 500 by 1941. The double-whammy of improved roads and available cars lured people to Waco and Fort Worth in search of well-paying jobs. By 1970 the population was a mere 200 which has since increased to 490 in 2010.

First United Methodist Church historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007

Historical Marker

First United Methodist Church of Morgan

Organized in 1889, the Morgan Methodist Church first held worship services in the Baptist church building. At an 1891 revival, the fellowship initiated plans to construct this sanctuary. Originally a one-room structure, the building was enlarged in later years as additional rooms were needed. The Carpenter Gothic building exhibits some Greek Revival detailing and features lancet windows and a 1901-02 belfry.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983

Union Hill School

What remains of Union Hill School
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007

Historical Marker (Hwy 174 about 4.5 miles N of Morgan): Union Hill School

Started before 1879, the Union Hill School was one of several rural schools that served the early settlers of Bosque County. A two-room 1888 schoolhouse, located across the road, was used until 1914, when a two-story building was constructed at this site. A nearby stable housed the student's horses during the school day. Enlarged by the 1926 merger with the Auburn Hill District, Union Hill became part of the Kopperl District in 1939. Former students, which include many area business, professional, and agricultural leaders, still meet for a biennial school reunion.

(1981)

Morgan Depot?
Vintage photo courtesy Dane Williams
More Texas Depots

Morgan Cemetery

Historical Marker:

Morgan, Texas Forum

Subject: Namesake Corrections

Your account of the naming of Morgan, TX ... is wrong. The town of Morgan was named for Charles Morgan, the owner of both the Houston & Texas Central Railway and a major steamship line operating in the Gulf. Although Morgan died before the Texas Central had begun construction north from Ross (where it had stopped years earlier), his son-in-law, Charles Whitney, had already been named President of the Texas Central. Hence, the first town founded north of Ross was "Whitney"; the second town founded was "Morgan".

The Morgan name had nothing to do with any Santa Fe stockholder or official. The Texas Central was advertising for grading contractors "from Morgan, in Bosque, to the center of Eastland County" in the Galveston Daily News of Feb. 15, 1880. This was 18 months before the Santa Fe tracks had crossed the Texas Central at Morgan, before Santa Fe had even committed to that route. The correct story is here: http://txrrhistory.com/towers/050/050.htm
- Regards, Jim King, webmaster, Texas Railroad History Website, Dallas, September 13, 2022

Webmaster's note:

The first paragraph of History in a Pecan Shell was replaced with Jim King's narrative submitted on October 6, 2022

Bosque County 1907 postal map showing
Morgan (NE of Meridian) & Whitney on the Texas Central RR
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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