Utley, Texas, Bastrop County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Utley, now best known as a put in point for canoeists going down the Colorado River, was established by the Wilbarger family in the 1850s. James Harvey Wilbarger named it after his wife's maiden name. James operated a trading post here. The Wilbarger family was also responsible for naming Wilbarger Creek

By 1892 the community got its own post office and by 1896 there were two stores. The town reported 25 people by 1914. The population grew to 250 through the 1930s but dropped severely after WWII. Except for an unexplained spike to 50 during the 1950s, Utley has kept 30 as it's population figure from the forties until the present (2000).

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.