Lodi, Texas, Marion County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Facts on the founding are scarce but it seems to have developed around a station of the Texas and Pacific Railroad when it headed west in the 1870s. At the time of its opening in 1876, the postmaster named the new office after his birthplace in Italy.

Lodi's population was 75 in the mid 1880s when there were no fewer than two steam sawmills and three general stores. In 1904 the population was 133, swelling to a high of 175 by the mid 20s. It declined to 150 during the Great Depression and remained at that number through the 50s when the school consolidated with the Jefferson ISD. Lodi had an estimated population of 100 in the 60s and by the end of that decade it increased to 164 - the figure that has been used ever since.

The burned Mt. Moriah Church (?) East of Lodi
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, April 2006

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.