Pickens, Texas, Henderson County ghost town. (original) (raw)

The abandoned church in Pickens in 2017
Photo courtesy Dustin Martin, February 2017

History in a Pecan Shell

Settled by a man named John Mires Pickens, who built his home at the site prior to the Civil War, the town was called Picken's Spur when the railroad (Texas and New Orleans Railroad) came through about 1900 and designated it a flag stop. By the 1930s, Pickens had twenty-five people and a church and two stores.

The field where the church once stood
Photo courtesy David M. Sligh

Pickens, Texas Update:

Subject: Pickens, Texas (Henderson County)

"The Pickens church in Henderson County is completely gone. Everything has been completely torn down and bulldozed. My wife and I was there in 2019 and it was still standing. However, we went there yesterday and was surprised to see it gone. I am attaching a picture of where the church used to be. Thanks." - David M. Sligh, November 7, 2022

"Unfortunately ... the Pickens Church ... is now falling apart. So sad to see something of such history go to ruin. Breaks my heart." - Kristihuls, March 09, 2016

Another view of the abandoned church in 2017
Photo courtesy Dustin Martin, February 2017

Church Interior in 2017
Photo courtesy Nick Samano, February 2017

Church interior in 2017
Photo courtesy Dustin Martin, February 2017

Sunday drives in and around Athens:

Athens: Where the hamburger was invented -
(From Bob Bowman's East Texas Sunday Drives)
Athens, New York, Texas Cheesecakes, LaRue, Brownsboro, Edom, Purtis Creek State Park, Eustace, Mabank, Gun Barrel City, Payne Springs, Caney City, Malakoff and Cross Roads.

Henderson County 1920s map showing Pickens
6 miles NW of Athens
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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