Pyron, Texas, Scurry County ghost town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

It's been a while since Pyron has been on the map. In fact a view of the current TxDoT Scurry County map doesn't even show Pyron.

Scurry County has several place names with real frontier flavor (except for Fluvanna). There's Wildcat and Hell Roaring Draw, and Hudd - four letters that just appear out of nowhere and don't seem to indicate a watercourse, town or geological feature.

A man named Bob Pyron settled on Buffalo Creek in the late 1880s and the community was named after him.

There was a school and post office by 1900 and since they didn't yet have a church, services were held in the school. The population was 10 in 1910.

Like hundreds of towns, Pyron moved to be near the newly laid railroad tracks of the Santa Fe. When highway 84 bypassed the town, the residents just vacated the area rather than move the town again.

After WWII, a major statewide school consolidation closed the Pyron school and children were bussed to nearby Hermleigh or Roscoe.

Historical Marker:

Pyron, Texas

(Former Townsite .5 miles South)
Once a thriving community. Named for Bob Pyron, a rancher who settled on nearby Buffalo Creek before 1890. School was first held in his cellar.

In 1900 town was founded and in 1910 citizens moved 4 miles southeast to be on Santa Fe Railroad. Pyron grew to include 2-story hotel, Odd Fellows Hall, stores, and a cotton gin. But it declined after a major highway bypassed this site. Post office closed 1952 and today only the railroad crossing sign and a few houses remain. Old settlers gather yearly at cemetery to exchange reminiscences.

(1968)

1907 postal map showing Pyron in SE Scurry County
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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