Annona, Texas, Red River County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Founded on the proposed router of the railroad in the 1870s, the town was first called Walker's Station after the first postmaster. The post office from nearby Savannah, Texas had moved in 1874 - to provide mail service to the town that was sure to grow - as soon as the railroad got there.

In 1884 Walker suggested that the name of the town be changed to Annona. Supposedly after an Indian girl. The railroad arrived in 1876 and as everyone hoped, the town's growth took off.

In 1890 the town had a population of 250, growing to 600 by 1914. The population dropped to 500 by the mid 20s but by 1929 it had recovered and grown to nearly 800. During the Great Depression the population fell to 426 and leveled off at that figure for many years. In 1990 it was 329.

Photographer's Note:
"Annona is a quiet, but interesting village. I quickly understood that the town was not on US-82. I saw the water tower as I came down that highway but, had to exit to get to the water tower where the community actually is. The true location for the community is on FM 44 where the railroad used to be at the post office and water tower." - Gerald Massey

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