Centennial, Texas, Panola County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The name, although easily understood, is something of a mystery since the town was established before 1850. In the late 1860s the community had a school sharing space with a modest church. A post office was in operation � prior to the American Centennial � which would happen in 1876.

By the early 1890s the town had a mere 30 residents � served by two stores and a grist and saw mill. In 1906 it had two segregated schools � the Black school had 97 students while the White school had only 17.

Centennial had an estimated population of 50 in the mid 1930s and a store. It managed to get through the Great Depression and WWII but instead of growth, the population moved away toward job opportunities. After the schools merged with those in Carthage, only the cemetery and scattered houses were left to represent what had been the community of Centennial.

1872 Panola County Map showing Centennial
near county line, NE of Carthage
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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.