Bethany Texas. (original) (raw)

The Texas marker in Bethany
TE photo, August 2009

History in a Pecan Shell

Once known by the name of Vernon, Bethany got its current name with the opening of a post office in 1849. Vernon was a popular stop with Southerners transmigrating into Texas. The post office moved to Caddo Parish Louisiana for a short time before the Civil War.

In 1889 one of the local store owners took advantage of his store/ tavern's position straddling the state line by restricting gambling and drinking to separate halves of the same building.

In the 1920s, a gas field was discovered which brought some prosperity to the region in the 30s, but like most rural areas, the population declined after WWII.

From Here and There
("Bob Bowman's East Texas" Column):

"Each holiday, a hay bale north of Bethany, on the Texas-Louisiana line, wishes travelers its good wishes for the reason. The last time I was there, the hay bale was celebrating. St. Patrick�s Day. The hay bale, of course, is decorated by the landowner."

Site of Bethany Centennial Marker
TE photo, August 2009

Panola County 1907 postal map showing Bethany on the Texas/Louisiana State Line
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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