Florence Texas. (original) (raw)

The Florence Police Station
Photo courtesy Hannalore Lyons, September, 2004

History in a Pecan ShellBriefly called Brooksville, the community dates from the early 1850s. The name change came about with the opening of the post office in 1857. The first postmaster was from Florence, Alabama although Florence Brooks, the daughter of the town's first merchant is also considered to be the source of the name.

After the Civil War, wheat, cotton and cattle were the town's economic mainstays, and by the 1890s the town was prospering with the stores, mills, hotels, and lodges typical of a central Texas town on the rise. Untypical businesses included a stone quarry and a cheese factory.

A short line railroad (the Bartlett and Western Railway) was in operation from 1912 until 1935.

Its population reached 1,000 people - just before the Great Depression - when it fell below 500. It has, in the last few years, surpassed the previous record.

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/historic photos, please contact us.