Viola, Texas. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Settled in the 1870s, Viola was named after the daughter of William Cobb, gristmill and cotton gin operator. The community was granted a post office in 1879. It had a population of 60 in the mid 1880s with one store and four different churches.

The population peaked in 1896 with 75 residents, but it started into a irreversible decline thereafter. In 1905 the post office closed and by the time the Great Depression arrived, Viola was already a ghost.

1907 Cass County postal map showing Viola
SE of Linden & Atlanta. Near Louisiana state line)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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