Riesel, Texas, McLennan County. (original) (raw)

McLennan County, North Central Texas

31�28'20"N 96�55'55"W (31.472226, -96.932076)

State Highway 6 and FM 1860
About 14 Miles SE of Waco the cunty seat
Population: 1,033 Est. (2018)
1,007 (2010) 973 (2000) 839 (1990)

Book Hotel Here › Waco Hotels

History in a Pecan Shell

During railroad expansion in the area (early 1880s) the Houston and Texas Central Railroad built a section house here and called it Roddy. German settlers started arriving about that time and the town�s namesake (W. H. Riesel) built a cotton gin here in 1890. The post office (also opened in 1890) first went by the name Prospect, Texas, but was changed in 1891.

By the mid 1890s the community had most essential services including a hotel, two grocery stores, and two dry goods stores. Future growth was facilitated by the opening of not one, but two lumberyards.

By 1900 the community had grown to a population of 268. Banks opened in 1906 and 1910.

The 1930 census reported a population of 420 served by 20 businesses.

It fell slightly to 403 by 1950 and growth has been slow, reaching just under 1,000 for the 2000 census.

The closed Mt. Moriah Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, September 2004

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