Arden, Texas, Irion County ghost town. (original) (raw)

Arden Community Historical Marker
Photo courtesy MF Peck, July 2017

History in a Pecan Shell

The former town dates from 1885 when John and Katie Arden �settled a claim� here. A post office opened five years later and a school two years after that.

By 1915 Arden had a population of 14 and consisted of the school, post office, church and the homes of residents. Growth was extremely show and had only risen to 30 by 1947 when the school merged with Mertzon. By the mid 1960s the town supported no businesses although it did keep a polling place for county elections. The population was drawn to larger towns and Arden faded to where only a single resident was listed for the 2000 census.

Historical Marker (FM 853, about 14 miles NE of Mertzon)

Arden Community

This ranching community was named for John Arden, a sheep raiser who arrived in 1876. After 1900, small homesteaders moved into the area. Joe Funk gave land for a school and cemetery in 1903. Baptist Church of Christ and Methodist congregations shared the schoolhouse for worship. Camp meetings were held at "the Grove" on Rocky Creek. In 1916 the school moved to a brick building at this site. Following a series of droughts, Arden began to decline. The post office closed in 1942 and the school in 1947. A frame polling station replaced the brick schoolhouse here.
(1979)

Joseph Funk & Bros Ranch letterhead
Arden, Texas. Jan 29th 1898
Courtesy General Land Office
More Letterheads

Arden Community Historical Marker
Photo courtesy MF Peck, July 2017

Approaching Midway Cemetery
Photo courtesy MF Peck, July 2017

Midway Cemetery
Historic Texas Cemetery
Photo courtesy MF Peck, July 2017

Cattle - Joseph Funk & Bros. Ranch letterhead detail
Image courtesy General Land Office

Joseph Funk & Bros. Ranch letterhead, Arden, Texas
Image courtesy General Land Office

Joseph Funk & Bros. Ranch letterhead detail
Image courtesy General Land Office
See Texas Ranching

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