Mercury, Texas. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan shell
Founded in 1904 shortly after the arrival of the Fort Worth and Rio Grande railroad when the stop became a cattle-shipping point. Within ten years Mercury had a population of 550 (the highest it would ever reach), two banks and two general stores.
Mercury suffered two terrible fires. The first was in 1919 and the second ten years later. The town might've recovered in time, but the Mercury post office closed in the 30s and then in 1938 the town was by-passed by the new Brownwood-Brady highway. The final nail was driven in the town's coffin when Mercury's schools consolidated with Rochelle's school district in the late 40s. The population declined accordingly.
From its peak of 550 in 1914, it dropped to 489 in 1933 and then to166 residents by 1988.
MERCURY, TEXAS
By David Knape
This is no perjury
we found little Mercury,
but not in outer space
Where else but in Texas
would it be,
and certainly that's the case
This town called Mercury
lives quietly in harmony,
but sadly its die is cast
Best take a chance
tour Mercury while it lasts,
cause it may be goin' fast.
©
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