Francitas, Texas, Jackson County. (original) (raw)

Francitas Texas Depot
Photo courtesy W.R. Joines and Carol Gibbs
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History in a Pecan Shell

The community was named by railroad employees, according to the Handbook of Texas, after a number of French families established a community here in the 1890s. Town lots went on sale in 1909 and the town seemed to have a bright future. Lafayette Ward (the namesake of nearby La Ward, Texas) bought additional acreage the following year and in 1911 a post office was granted under the name Francitas. It became a stop on the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway in 1914 and had all the essential businesses, including a weekly newspaper, and a telephone connection.

Although early population figures aren't available, the town's high-water mark seems to have been 1940 when 300 people called Francitas home. Over the years the population has risen and fallen, reaching a low of 30 in the late 1980s. It has since rebounded to 143 for the 2000 Census.

Joines Brothers General Merchandise
Photo courtesy Albina Joines and Carol Gibbs
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