Leakey Texas. (original) (raw)
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A street on the courthouse square TE photo |
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History in a Pecan ShellThe abundant water of the area drew many Indian tribes and the entire area was one of the last strongholds of Lipan Apaches and Comanches who were not happy about being displaced.
After the arrival of the first Anglo-settlers the first industry established was the same as Bandera, Kerrville and other riverfront towns - shingle manufacturing.
Shingle production and lumbering of the abundant Cypress trees was the major economic force until ranching and the raising of Angora goats replaced those activities. Tourism increased as roads improved.
A timeline of significant events in Leakey
1856: John and Nancy Leakey with a handfull of others settled near the site at springs that were to be named Leakey Springs.
1883: The post office from the town of Floral moved to the settlement and opened in the Leakey store
1884: Leakey became county seat of Edwards County and remained until 1891 when it moved to Rocksprings.
1904: The population was just over 300 persons
1913: Real County was organized and Leakey became the county seat. See Real County Courthouse
1926: The population was only 150 people
1951: Leakey gets around to incorporating
1956: Leakey's population reaches its zenith of 762 people.
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Leaky Cemetery FM 337 as you enter Leakey from the East. It contains the graves of the town founders. It is perhaps a little ironic that the first interments in the cemetery were the last to be killed by Indians (in Real County). |
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Photo courtesy Linda Kirkpatrick
Fording a low-water crossing in 1936
Vintage photo courtesy Lloyd & Jackie Shultz
Photo courtesy Linda Kirkpatrick
Leakey Texas Forum
- Leakey founders
I am one of many Leakeys in the UK, and stumbled upon your history of Leakey in Real County, Texas. I was interested to read that the founders, John and Nancy Leakey are interred in the Leakey cemetery and were the last to be killed by Red Indians in Real County. I wondered if you know anything about the origins of the founders. Do you know where they came from and can you direct me to any websites to help? - Chris Leakey, June 03, 2004
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