Hollis, Texas, Madison County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell
Three Louisiana brothers (Charles, Tom and William Hollis) established the town in the early 1880s. A post office was granted in 1883 and in 1884 the community had roughly fifty residents.
The town had two gristmills, several gins, three general stores and a pharmacy that doubled as a barber shop.
By the early 1900s, Hollis' population doubled to just over 100. The post office closed in 1906 but the town constructed a school in 1910. Already in decline, Hollis closed the school and it became a Methodist church. In 1912 it was moved to North Zulch.
The town was bypassed by the railroad, further depleting the shrinking population.
Photographer's Note:
"My friend and I were at the site of Hollis and stumbled upon a "miniature Hollis" constructed there with painstaking effort and loving care. We can't find anything about it on the internet. Thought you might be interested in it." -

Miniature Hollis
Photo courtesy Bill Trevillion, October 2015

Miniature Hollis Schoolhouse
Photo courtesy Bill Trevillion, October 2015

"Welcome to the Lil' White Church"
Photo courtesy Bill Trevillion, October 2015

Miniature "Dry Gulch Saloon"
Photo courtesy Bill Trevillion, October 2015


Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.