Stevens, Texas, Sherman County ghost town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

In 1900, Steve Stevens, a conductor on the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf railroad was honored by having the town named after him.

The town developed slowly and prior to the first school being built in 1910, students were taught in the railroad section house. George Brady was the school�s benefactor.

A general store was soon built, and a grain elevator was constructed in 1920. It took another nine years before a post office was granted. The Stevens school merged with Stratford schools in 1940.

The population was estimated at a mere 40 residents throughout the 1940s. The improvements on highway 54 were instrumental in depopulating the town and in 1943 the post office was closed.

The combination store and gas station closed a short time later, making Stevens a ghost town � with only the grain elevator to mark the site.

Stevens, Texas Forum

Subject: Stevens, Texas

Here is a short history that my father told me before he died. I have no way of telling how accurate the information is as every one involved were deceased.

My father and mother was attempting to make a farm in the panhandle of Oklahoma when the the dust bowl manifested itself. They and a neighbor and friends found work in Stevens, Texas with the railroad. They were employed to fatten cattle for the railroad workers, on the out skirts of Stevens. They converted empty box cars to homes nearby the stockyards. That is where I was born in January 1931. My parents friend, and wife of the other couple acted as mid wife. Some time thereafter we then moved to the area where my fathers parents were living near Kremlin, Oklahoma.

I am now 90 years old and live in New York City. I have pursued a life in the fine arts since I graduated from high school. Warmest Wishes. - Duane Zaloudek, March 20, 2021

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