Pottsville, Texas, Hamilton County. (original) (raw)
The bridge over Cowhouse Creek.
It was moved a short distance when the new bridge was built in 1953.
Photo by Jim Kinsey in 1952
Dinosaur tracks have been found in Cowhouse Creek, although not much of a fuss has been made over them. Cowhouse Creek flows into the Leon River which flows into the Little River which flows into the Brazos River. In theory, if you lived in Pottsville and had relatives in East Columbia you could send them messages in a bottle.
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"After much research and driving we found the bridge that was moved from Pottsville in 1953. The Bridge is over Bear Creek NW of Hamilton on Hamilton County Road 103." - Jim and Lou Kinsey More Texas Bridges |
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History in a Pecan Shell
The town was founded by a Captain John Stephen Potts in 1877. There was a stipulation set in place (you don't hear of people stipulating much anymore) that alcohol would not be sold in Pottsville. His friend Thomas Jefferson Burksbuilt a store on the south side of the town square in 1877, which made him one of the major movers and shakers in Pottsville. You're probably wondering if T.J. Burks sold alcohol, but we have to tell you we don't know.
Twice a month, mail would be taken from Comanche to Hamilton and then from Hamilton to Pottsville, Indian Gap and Shive. The first part of the trip was by mule team and the distribution to the smaller communities was by a two-wheeled horse cart.
The postmaster of Pottsville (in 1981) was Dorothy E. Menzdorf who supplied these details to our source,* She added that the mail was protected from the weather by a piece of canvas painted with linseed oil. Dorothy missed her calling as a historian, for she knows what details to include.
Pottsville burned twice - once in 1914 and again in 1922 - both times it was the south side of the square.
The Pottsville School operated 113 years - From 1876 to 1989
Photo c.1945 courtesy Jim Kinsey
More Texas Schoolhouses
Pottsville falls into the category of towns you'd have to be looking for to find, but the drive through Hamilton and Mills Counties is a relaxing trip full of quiet discoveries.
Website: http://www.pottsvilletexas.homestead.com/
Pottsville Texas Forum
- Concerning Pottsville, Texas
Although named for John S. Potts, the town site was donated by my great-great grandfather, Edmund T. Goggin. Grandfather Goggin was the one who stipulated that if liquor was ever sold there, the property would revert back to the family. Subsequent generations of the family have gotten over his quirk, but I still check it out when I go through Pottsville.
Note: Many generations of my family (Goggin & Bratton) are buried in the Pottsville Cemetery. Thanks for a great website! - Steve Bratton, Austin, Texas, January 20, 2005 - I am the fifth of seven generations of the Potts Family that has lived in Pottsville. Thanks - Jim Kinsey, December 19, 2002
Reference:
*Little Towns of Texas, Jayroe Graphics, Jacksonville, Texas.
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