Key, Texas, Dawson County ghost town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The first reference we found for Key was 1914 but no population figures were available. It appears there was a church consolidation that year. This merger included three local churches forming The Midway Baptist Church which we assume was between two points, although we don't know what (or where) they were.

The 1930 census reported only ten residents for Key. These spread their trade among three businesses - the names of which are lost to history. After WWII, Key swelled to a population of 75 and had added two additional businesses. They counted the same 75 people for the 1950 census, but by 1980 it had fallen to a mere 40. It dropped to 20 for both the 1990 and 2000 census.

Key Mercantile and old gas station in 2018
Photo courtesy Dusty Martin, January 2018

Abandoned house in Key
Photo courtesy Dusty Martin, January 2018

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