Bagdad, Texas. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Bagdad was a community on the South Fork of Brushy Creek that is now part of Leander.

A short timeline of significant events in the brief life of Bagdad, Texas:
1854: The town was surveyed by innkeeper Charles Babcock. The name comes from the hometown of one of the first residents.
1855: A post office is granted - it was a stop on the stage route from Austin to Lampasas.
1860 - 1880: Bagdad thrives and adds schools, churches, a Masonic Lodge and stores.
1882: The post office closes and moves to Leander. The Austin and Northwestern Railroad came through Leander and in an old familiar song of progress, the once thriving town of Bagdad lost their post office and identity to their neighbor. Several businesses left as well and in just a few years, Bagdad had become a ghost town.

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