Derby, Texas, Frio County. (original) (raw)

Frio County, South Texas

28� 46' 15.6" N, 99� 7' 48" W (28.771, -99.13)

Intersection of Interstate 35 and FM 1583
9 Miles SW of Pearsall the county seat
ZIP 78061
Area code 830
Population: 50 Est. (2000, 1990)

Derby, Texas Area Hotels › Pearsall Hotels

History in a Pecan Shell

Although a post office operated here in 1882 (as Lenore, Texas), the arrival of the railroad (The International Great Northern) brought engineer John Bennet here to oversee construction of the railroad�s extention to the Mexican border.

The community was renamed Derby for Bennet�s British birthplace. Bennet, who owned land here, divided his land into lots and added a railroad spur to expedite the shipping of vegetables. The expansion of the town resulted in a temporary change of name. Bennet renamed it Otley (for his wife�s British home) but in 1906 it reverted back to Derby.

Bennet also built a dam and later established an irrigation system fed by large artesian wells. Cotton, and vegetable farming provided a substantial foundation, although the population was a mere 50 residents in the 1930s.

The population remained around 50 through the 1990s but the town didn�t add any new businesses due to the proximity of the county seat.

1920s Frio County map showing Derby
on The International Great Northern Railraod
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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