Camp Air, Texas, AKA Air Texas. (original) (raw)
There IS a place called Camp Air
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, January 2010
Photographers' Note:
"Not on any of my maps. It is at the junction of US 377/US87 @ FM1222, 11 miles north of Mason." - Barclay Gibson
History in a Pecan ShellThe settlement dates from the early 1860s when there were actually two separate colonies here. One was a school community named Peter�s Prairie after Major Peters of the Texas Rangers. Peters sold hay to the cavalry at Fort Mason, the first commercial enterprise here. The original school was replaced by a rock building and that was later moved; but the community retained the name Peter�s Prairie. The second community, one half mile south, was named Bethel and finally Camp Air came to be applied to the businesses that opened alongside the Brady-Mason highway.
According to legend, storekeeper John Kyle whimsically chose the name since there was little else there. Over time, the three settlements became known as Air although there was never an established post office. In operation. The consolidated groups became Camp Air in the 1960s.
Air had peaked in the 1940s with about 75 residents present, but from the 70s through the 80s, it had dwindled to just over 30.
The rock schoolhouse has been converted into a community center and the store has been closed since the 1980s. The 1990 census reported a mere 15 residents � as did the 2000 count.
Camp Air, TX General Store
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, January 2010
Photographers' Note:
"The Prairie School is located about 1/4 mile south of the general store pictured here. The school is very well kept and looks to be used regulary probably for clubs or a community center. Modern facilities have been built in the back." -
The 4-way water fountain in the school
Photo courtesy Will Beauchamp, March 2011
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