Eliasville, Texas, Young County ghost town. (original) (raw)

The clear fork of the Brazos River flows gently by the remains of the old Donnell Mill, built in 1895 in Eliasville.
Photo courtesy Noel Kerns, September 2007

History in a Pecan Shell

Settled in the 1870s, ranchers William Leander and Thomas Franklin Donnell established ranches here in 1876, and later built the flour mill as well as a stone dam and a pedestrian suspension bridge. The mill burned in 1927.

The town was named after the first storekeeper, Elias DeLong.

With the oil boom of 1921 Eliasville was incorporated, and the town grew rapidly to a population high of 1,500.

At its zenith, Eliasville had two movie theaters, various stores, several churches, a school, hotel and three gas stations.

The population dropped to only 400 in 1940, and by 1980 it was down to around 100.

The lone building that stands at the main intersection in Eliasville.
Photo courtesy Noel Kerns, September 2007

Eliasville downtown in day light
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

The old Donnell Mill in day light
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

An early picture of Donnell Mill
Click on photo to enlarge
Vintage photo courtesy of Gerry Grantham Hill with special thanks to Georgia Pratt Cunningham and Margaret Donnell Lambkin

Eliasville TX 76481
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

Church of Christ across the street from the Baptist Church
Photo courtesy Dustin Martin, May 2017

Building ruins in Eliasville
Photo courtesy Dustin Martin, May 2017

Old Brazos River Bridge east of Eliasville Texas
Photo courtesy Mike Price, October 2007

Eliasville name-sake Elias De Long with his wife Malissa Sue.
Photo courtesy James D. Allen

Eliasville School, 1924, Grade 3
Photo courtesy Mary Cash of the Dr. J. H. Nelson family

De Long Ward School in Eliasville, May 28, 1929
Click on photo for larger image
Photo courtesy James D. Allen

For Sale �2 bedroom, 1 bath with kitchen, quiet neighborhood, Eliasville, Texas.�
Photo courtesy Noel Kerns, September 2007

Eliasville Texas Forum

• Eliasville Families of 1883 and what is a battling block?"
  Subject: Gordon Family, Eliasville, Tx
  I am reading a diary of an ancestor of the Gordon Family that lived in Eliasville, Tx in the year 1883. The family of George Washington Gordon. The story is written by Laura Gordon Coker. The property was located on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River. Gage Creek ran diagonally across the farm. She said they went to Gage Creek School and Mr Ludwick was the teacher. Laura said the desks were just benches which had legs that stood out like legs on a battling block. "What is a battling block?" She said the names of the school children she went to school with were, Wiley Jones family, the Bill Donalds, Tom Donalds, the Daws, the Stewarts the Ed Davis famly and the Delongs and Longs. Are there any of these family's still there? I would gladly share this diary of hers for more information and would love to visit Eliasville to get a feel of the town and any areas that might have been. Thank you, Cheryl Spradlin, October 18, 2006
• Subject: Eliasville Pictures
  Attached please find two photos from Eliasville. My family history is sketchy at best; however, I am the great, great grandson of Elias De Long. One of the pictures attached is supposedly Elias with his wife Malissa Sue. (I originally did not have Elias�s wife�s name, but recently learned it was Malissa Sue. Any confirmation would be appreciated.) Also attached is a picture of the De Long Ward school from 1929. My father was born in Eliasville, and I believe he is in the picture somewhere. Thanks, James D. Allen, Son of Milton O�Neal Allen, who was the son of Fred and Vernie Allen. Fred was son of Tabitha De Long and Andrew J. Allen. Tabitha was daughter of Elias and Malissa Sue, July 01, 2006
• Subject: Eliasville, Texas
  I am a great-grandson of T.F. Donnell and was born in Eliasville. Moved away for several years and have been back in Eliasville for about twelve years, happily in the house, I was born in. It is the homestead of W.W. Cunningham, my maternal great-grandparents. It is a lovely community to live in and I have many fond memories of growing up in Eliasville. It was a perfect place for a young boy to roam, run, swim, hunt, and play in. - Louis F. Donnell, Jr. June 13, 2006
• Just a note to let you know that "F. T." Donnell should be "T. F." - as in Thomas Franklin. His brother "W. L." Donnell was William Leander.
  I am a great grand-daughter of Thomas Franklin Donnell, and I grew up in Eliasville. While there may not be many people left in the quaint little town, there are no ghosts, other than what someone might imagine. I am attaching an early picture of the mill. - Margaret Donnell Lambkin, July 28, 2004

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Young County 1940s map
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office