Mahoney, Texas, Hopkins County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

First there was the Kimberly Ranch (in the late 1900s) and then along came George W. Mahoney, a man who recognized �sum of the parts� business. He bought the ranch around 1900 and then subdivided it into small farms. He then donated property for two churches and a school and ran ads in Texas newspapers to attract citizens to the new town.

In 1901 a post office was applied for and granted under the name White Oak. Soon the local school was calling itself White Oak School. But the post office closed its doors in 1904 and over time, the community reverted to the name of the town founder.

The community peaked just before WWI and although there are no figures available, it was quite small � even for the era. By the time the Great Depression arrived, Mahoney was down to a mere 15 citizens.

By the mid-1960s, Mahoney had lost one of its churches and the school. Today there�s only the remaining church and the cemetery. Houses are scattered, resulting in Mahoney being referred to as �a dispersed rural community.�

Related Stories

Mahoney, Texas by Nolan Maxie

"...While living and working in Sulphur Springs, it seemed to me we would live there long enough to invest in some real property with a potential for profit. So I did! In 1964, property came on the market that I could afford to buy. And guess what?... It was the old town square of Mahoney..." more

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.