Cedar Lane, Texas, Matagorda County. (original) (raw)

Shiloh Missionary Cemetery
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2009

Cedar Lane History in a Pecan Shell

The original settlement began around a store along a path bordered with a �lane� of cedars. The Texas and New Orleans Railroad made the community a stop on its line and by 1912 they had been granted their own post office.

The population was a mere 25 people in 1914, but it didn�t stop them from getting connected with telephone service. By the 1930s the town had a paved road and two businesses as well as a church and school.

Prior to WWII, the town had an estimated population of 50 and after WWII, the Cedar Lane school merged with the Van Vleck ISD. By the late 1960s the population had swelled to 57 residents and for the 1990 census it had reached a new record of 85 citizens, dropping back to 55 for the 2000 census.

Cedar Lane, Texas Landmarks

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2009

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church historical marker
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2009

Historical Marker Text

Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church

Following Emancipation in 1865, freedmen and women established the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church near Caney Creek in 1866. Instrumental in the church formation were the Reverend Dennis Grey (1814-1879), secretary John Alexander Sidney (1842-1928) and many charter members.

The first church building was erected on land from the A.C. Buckner League purchased by the Reverend Mr. Gray and donated to the church. The building also served as a community school with an enrollment of about 100 pupils. A cemetery was established in the 1870s near the church and contains the graves of church and community members.

A storm in 1909 destroyed the original church building, and a second church was constructed. A bell dating from 1856 given to the church by the community was hung in the belfry of the new church. In 1970 a new sanctuary was constructed on land donated by the Van Vleck School district. Auxiliary facilities were added as the congregation grew.

Continuing a long history of service and community outreach, the church was a site of refuge during Hurricane Carla in 1961. The church remains an integral part of the area as it has for more than 130 years.

"No Big Truck Parking" either
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2009

1920s map showing Cedar Lane in E Central Matagorda County
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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