Romayor, Texas, Liberty County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Once known as River, Texas for it's location on the Trinity, the town had several antebellum sawmills.

The flat terrain availed itself to the rice farming that was fast gaining acceptance after its introduction in the flat coastal regions of Texas. The community requested a post office which was granted in 1903. In a rather unusual move, the application was sent in with the request for the name Romayer since the land was originally a part of the Joaquin F. de Rumnayor land grant. Usually submissions were for storekeepers, postmasters or early settlers. The spelling of the name Romayor from Rumayor is assumed to be an error.

The granting of the post office coincided with the arrival of the railroad. In this case the railroad was the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe. The community now had two essential components for longevity and prosperity.

Growth was slow and in 1929, the town just managed to have 100 residents - enough to qualify it as a Liberty County voting precinct. The town had its own newspaper (The Trinity Valley Voice).

The hopes of growth were dashed in the late 1940s when many families left in search of better jobs. The post office managed to stay open in the 1980s when it had 96 customers. The same number was estimated for 1990 and 2000. The community never got around to incorporating.

Romayor, Texas Forum

Subject: Old Cemeteries
There are two cemeteries on both sides of county road 2148. I think they or from when there were lumber mills here. County road is between Rye and Romayor. I believe the land is owned by Timber Companys. Billy Johnson, February 24, 2015

Liberty County 1907 postal map showing Romayor
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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