Lawn Texas. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The town was first settled back in the 1890s. With the arrival of the railroad in 1909, Lawn became "Old Lawn" as "New" Lawn set up business alongside the rails. Old Lawn declined as rapidly as most towns bypassed by the railroad. The move also erased the name of Jim Ned from Texas maps. Jim Ned had been the name of the community until a new post office was opened in 1910. The person Jim Ned was a Delaware Indian chief who had been a scout for the Texas militia during the years of the Republic (and early statehood).

The post office and town changed names, but Jim Ned lives on in the name of the local school district and Jim Ned Creek. The town reached its zenith in that golden year of 1929 - with a reported 650 people. The population shrank to around 300 during the Great Depression and remained at that level for nearly 60 years. Then, in 1988 it shot up to 445, declined to 358 in 1990 and today is shown on maps as 353.

Lawn Texas Forum

• Subject: Jim Ned Remembered in California
  I am the daughter of one Nelson Irvin Mixon, born at Jim Ned Creek on February 18, 1892. The name Jim Ned still lives in memory, even as far away as California. I had never before thought of looking the name up on the 'net and was pleased to find there information new to me. I'd never heard that the name of the town was derived from that of an Indian chief. Thanks for you good work in keeping alive the history of Texas. - Dolly Mixon Hei, Shafter, California, June 17, 2007

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