Rochelle Texas. (original) (raw)

Rochelle Post Office, TX 76872
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, December 2007

History in a Pecan Shell

The name was suggested by a former resident of La Rochelle, France. It was the name submitted and the name accepted when the post office was granted in 1879.

In its early years, Rochelle's 30 citizens raised cattle and waited for the railroad to arrive. It didn't until 1903. The Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway Company was first and then the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe arrived in 1912 when they completed their Lometa to Eden line.

By 1914 Rochelle had a substantial population of 700 with three stores, two gins, hotel, bank and newspaper.

Rochelle lost population, but it remained over 500 from the 30s through the 50s. When the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe abandoned its line in 1959, the economy declined accordingly.

It fell to a low of 100 by the early 1960s, and by 1968 it was reported as 167 - a number the town is evidently comfortable with.

Rochelle, Texas Landmarks

Rochelle Photo Gallery

Five years later
Photo courtesy Erik Hough, February 2013

Shed
Photo courtesy Erik Hough, February 2013

Photo courtesy Erik Hough, February 2013

Outhouse
Photo courtesy Erik Hough, February 2013
See Outhouses

Photographer's Note:

Rochelle was a town that I ran across accidently on my way to another destination. I guess not many people plan on visiting Rochelle, but again it was a nice surprise. - Erik Hough, March 04, 2013

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