McDuff, Texas, Bastrop County ghost town. (original) (raw)
McDuff Upper Elgin River Road sign
Photo courtesy John J. Germann, May 2016
History in a Pecan Shell
Information on McDuff is thin. About all is known is that the town had a post office in operation from 1886 until 1906. There were about 30 residents in the 1890s, but no one seems to know the origin of the name.
McDuff faded off maps in the 1940s and it�s school merged with Elgin ISD in 1949.
Photographer's Note:
"You're right. Very little is known of McDuff. That has always been true; even the founders of the post office who applied in 1885 gave precious little information to the Post Office Department.
It was three miles north of the Colorado River on an old stage mail route from Bastrop to Austin. In today's terms it was on Highway 969 near the intersection with Upper Elgin River Road.
It sported a post office from 1886-1906, with two postmasters during that time (neither a McDuff), but there is absolutely nothing there these days.
[Here] are photos of the scenery at that intersection taken when I was there in the summer of 2016." -
John J. Germann, February 08, 2018
McDuff, Texas Forum
Subject: John Monroe McDuff, 1818 - 1870
"I may have some helpful information on McDuff, Texas.
My roots are Bastrop and I am a direct descendant of the McDuff family.
While searching my genealogy I've discovered that the progenitor of this Bastrop County family is John Monroe McDuff, 1818 - 1870.
He is buried at the J.J. Manor Hill Cemetery (aka McDuff Cemetery) in Travis County.
He was relieved of his duties as 2nd Lt. in the Regiment of Alabama Volunteers in December 1846. He served under Colonel Coffey in the War with Mexico.
He was also in the Seminole Wars.
He married Priscilla Canzada Peyton (daughter of Pheby Hancock Peyton Forehand) in 1849 in Bastrop County. They raised their family in this area.
This information may be subject to error but is given as accurate as I can determine. I hope this is helpful."
- Nancy Bailey, February 06, 2018
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