Madras, Texas, Red River County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

First called La Grange in the early 1830s, the community made an attempt to become the county seat in the later part of that decade. The loss of the election and the proximity to Clarksville made growth an impossibility.

A store opened in La Grange In the early 1870s with Thomas J. Dozier as storekeeper. Since there was already a more established town named La Grange, Doxier had to submit another name to obtain a post office. He chose Madras (no explaination given) and the post office opened in 1887.

The first population was given as 100 in 1910, declining to 54 for the 1920 Census. In 1925 the post office was cancelled and mail was routed through Clarksville.

The 1940 Census showed 40 residents with two businesses to serve them. Today it is known as a �dispersed community� with no visible center � other than the cemetery and a community building.

See 1907 Red River County Postal map

Madras Community Center
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

Bois d'Arc grows in Red River County
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, August 2010

Red River County 1907 postal map showing Madras
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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