McNeil, Texas, Travis County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The town dates from 1882 when the the Austin and Northwestern Railroad built a section of track from Austin to Burnet following the International and Great Northern Railroad�s completed line (1876) connecting Rockdale and Austin.

The town of NcNeil (named after Geo McNeil, a section foreman of the Austin and Northwestern) soon appeared at the railroad intersection which promised unlimited potential. In December of 1888 a post office was opened and in the 1890s the town could boast its own hotel and a population of 200. The population dropped to 125 during the Great Depression and declined to a mere 70 in the 1940s, where it has remained ever since.

1920s Travis County map showing McNeil, north of Austin.
(From Texas state map #10749)
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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