Baileyville, Texas, Milam County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The town had previously been known as either Smithland or Bailey's Store, but the granting of a post office in 1874 necessitated a change of name. Ten years later the town had most essential businesses and reached a peak population of 500 residents.

The population declined by half in the 1890s � a trend that has slowly worn the figure down to double digits. School consolidation and the proximity to the county seat seem to have left Baileyville in a permanent state of under-population. It is now considered a �dispersed community� but remains on county maps.

Baileyville house for sale
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2008

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