Flint Texas. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The present name is a corruption from Robert P. Flynt, a local landowner. In 1882 the community became a stop on the Kansas and Gulf Short Line Railroad. The misspelling of Mr. Flynt�s name is attributed to the town�s first postmaster who filled out the post office application incorrectly. The following year Robert P. Flynt himself became postmaster (although the name of the town remained Flint).

The 1890 Census showed a population of just 25 residents, and just one general store to three cotton gins. Flint did have a physician, however � a rarity in a town so small.

By 1902 the area had an estimated 100 families � all of them farming vegetables. Together they shipped 85 carloads of vegetables � mostly tomatoes but also peaches, cabbage and watermelons.

Despite its size, Flint also shipped nearly 1,000 bales of cotton.

By 1914 the population had increased to 450 and the region�s farmers outdid all previous records. The prosperity of the 1920s allowed Flint to rebuild its frame school with a 2-story brick building. Classes extended to the 10th grade. Residents could shop at six different general stores, see the doctor and read Flint�s own newspaper (the Weekly Reader) in his waiting room.

The town�s population declined to just 200 by the mid 1920s � perhaps influenced by the drop in cotton prices.

Flint was hit hard by the Great Depression. After WWII, the population had decreased to just 150. The Flint ISD merged with Tyler�s ISD in 1952. The school later became the town�s community.

Flint has retained its post office and may have under-reported its 1990 census figures of 150 people, since 700 were reported on the 2000 Census.

Flint United Methodist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007

Flint old and new Baptist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, July 2007

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