Duff, Texas, Shelby County. (original) (raw)

History on a Pinhead

It was merely a flag stop on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad, but it did manage to have a post office (briefly) in 1907.

Residents could flag the train and either take it north to Longview or south to Beaumont. After the mid 1970s passenger service was discontinued on the line and Duff � the town that never was � only appears on a few maps and as a rare postmark.

Photographer�s Note:
�Duff is shown on some maps and has an entry in the Handbook of Texas, however, all that is visible today is a dusty, east Texas road running parallel to the railroad track. The tracks themselves are hidden by the thick overgrowth. There was no sign of habitation.� Gerald Massey

1920 Shelby County map showing Duff (S of Center)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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