Markham, Texas, Matagorda County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

First named Cortes, Texas, the community has a post office under that name briefly (1901-03). In 1903 the post office was renamed to honor an engineer for the Southern Pacific railroad.

By 1914 Markham had a respectable population of 500 residents and was a stop on the Texas and New Orleans railroad. By the mid 1920s, the population shed 100 residence, bringing it down to 400.

Markham formed its own independent school district by the mid 1930s and had about a dozen businesses in operation. During WWII the population had grown to 700 which dropped to 300 for the 1950 census.

1965 reported growth to 750 but by 1970 it had dropped again to just over 600.

The 1990 census had increased to 1,206 and by 2000 it was ten businesses. The population was 1,138 for the year 2000.

Oil Well Pumping Rig

A plaque on the rig had the following information:
"J.S. Abercrombie Mineral Company
Oil Well Pumping Rig

In 1920, near Clemville, Texas, J.S. Abercrombie Mineral Company put this pumping rig into operation on a new oil well at a location west of Little Tres-Palacios Creek and south of the present El Dorado Road. In 1927 the well went dry, and the pumping rig was not used again.

In 1980 J.G. "Pappy" Stone donated this example of an early oil well pumping rig to A.W. "Al" Hurta, Matagorda County Commissioner precinct No. 4. The same year it was moved to this location and restored as a reminder of the county's oil production in the early years of this* century."

*"The twentieth century, of course." -

Terry Jeanson, September 2012

1920s map showing Markam in north central Matagorda County W of Bay City
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.