Fort Chadbourne, Texas, Coke County ghost town. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The town dates from the 1850s and a post office opened in the last years of that decade through 1866. After the Civil War new settlers arrived and the community chose another site some four miles to the SW. A new post office (same name) opened its doors in 1879. Things were peaceful with few occurrences and little drama. In fact, in the early 1890 there were only twenty five residents. How much drama could twenty-five people generate?

In 1910, as the railroad approached, landowner W.D. McDonald donated land one mile east so that the town might secure contact with the rest of the world. The town exploded (figuratively). Suddenly the town had a bank, hotel, saloon, cotton gin and even a newspaper to report what was going on at the hotel, bank, gin, and saloon. The population swelled to sixty-five people who had their choice of two churches to attend. Children were given no choice and had to attend the only school. The post office closed its doors for the last time in 1942 and schoolchildren started attending Bronte schools. The last population figures came from the 50s and 60s when around 50 people still lived there. These souls drifted away until none were left.

Coke County 1940s map showing
Fort Chadbourne the town
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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