Ringgold, Texas. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
The town was born with the arrival of the Rock Island railroad in 1892 although people had been living in the vicinity since the 1870s. When the Katy (Missouri, Kansas and Texas) Railroad entered Texas from the north, the two sets of tracks intersected here. This good fortune did not go unnoticed by landowner Joe Harris who quickly laid out a townsite. Named Harrisonia, the name was rejected by postal authorities when a post office was applied for. The reasoning was possible confusion with Harrison.
Mr. Harrison had the choice of resubmitting an invented name or using his wife's family name. His wife's maiden name was Ringgold. The Ringgold post office opened in 1892 when the town had an estimated population of 300. Growth was swift due to the railroad juncture and Ringgold became a shipping point for the area.
The population passed 400 by the mid 1920s. The population remained at 350 after WWII through the mid-1960s but it declined drastically in the 70s. It had been reported at 100 people from the 70s through 2005.
The 2006 Fire ›
The Ringgold Store ›
Ringgold Churches ›
T.F. Wright, Staple and Fany Groceries
The closed store in Ringgold
"I wanted to let you know some information about a photo you took in Ringgold, TX. The caption reads "A Closed Store". That was my grandfather's grocery store. T.F. Wright had a staple & fancy grocery store there.
My father grew up in Ringgold and lived there with his family. I was told that he delivered groceries on his bicycle. When the railroad bypassed Ringgold, my grandfather could no longer make a living there and moved to Bowie, TX.
Our family went to cemeteries last year to visit our family members who are buried in Ringgold, Belcherville and Bowie. I stood outside the ruins of the grocery store trying to imagine my father riding his bike down the street. He and my mother died when I was a teenager. They are buried in Ringgold next to his parents and two siblings.
This is a decorative plate that I received in the 1970's that I assume he gave to his customers. There are four remaining plates that each of the grandchildren were given.
Thank you for taking that photo. I appreciate your work."
- S. L. February 04, 2017
Decorative plate of T.F. Wright, Staple and Fany Groceries in Ringgold
T.F. Wright, Staple and Fany Groceries decorative plate
Ringgold Churches
Ringgold Christian Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
The Ringgold 2006 Fire
A disastrous grass fire on January 1, 2006 destroyed about half the buildings in Ringgold.
Photographer's Note:
"The only business lost was the Post Office. The town did not have any open grocery stores, gas stations, or cafes to burn. All had been closed during the past 20 years. The "businesses" that were reported as burned were actually closed and vacant. The town will rebuild over time. Ringgold is a pretty tough place and the folks are strong, true Texans. Not a single church burned. The school is fine and the fire department building is OK. Big "thanks" to the hard work of all the volunteer fire fighters from neighboring communities. Without their brave and fast response, it would have been a total loss." - Kelly Campbell, January 6, 2006
Photographer's Note:
Your article on Ringgold was very helpful to see where the fire was. It may have been my imagination but I think I could still smell the odor of it. Most of the destruction was on the western and southern edges of town. -
Barclay Gibson, February 19, 2007
The Ringgold Cemetery after the fire.
Photo courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006
A burned house foundation
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February, 2007
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Hay bales smolderingPhoto courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006 |
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A former store - vacant at the time of the fire.Photo courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006 |
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The fires brought the curious out in droves. Photo courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006 |
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"Aerial view of the Ringgold fire - Looking east,
showing close up of the Campbell House, Baptist and Methodist Churches."
Photo courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006
"Aerial view of the Ringgold fire -
From north Ringgold looking south, showing the two churches."
Photo courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006
"Aerial view of the Ringgold fire -
Looking south from the north end of Ringgold towards the school."
Photo courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006
"Aerial view of the Ringgold fire -
CW Chandler Ranch looking east over all of Ringgold."
Photo courtesy Kelly Campbell, January 2006
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