McAdoo, Texas, Dickens County. (original) (raw)

"Downtown" McAdoo taken from the south edge of the main street in town looking North.
Photo circa 1950 courtesy Neal Crausbay

History in a Pecan Shell

Settlement began with the selling off of school lands in 1907. In early 1915 a post office was established and was given the name McAdoo, after Woodrow Wilson's son-in-law who was also Secretary of the Treasury. There are many post office cornerstones today bearing Mr. McAdoo's name from when he served as Treasury Secretary.

That same year (1915) the Prairie View School was moved to McAdoo and saw service as a meeting place for three churches as well as its intended purpose.

McAdoo became a shipping point, but fires in 1925 and 1929 curtailed growth. In 1925 the population was only 20. By 1939 the population had swelled to 250, where it remained for many years. In the mid 1960s there were an estimated 150 people which increased to 169 by the mid-1970s. It has slowly decreased to an estimated 100 for the 2000 census.

Life in Dickens County

McAdoo, Texas Forum

My dad was 6 years old when his mom died. He remembers a man named Jesse Collins from McAdoo who came to live with his Dad, Popa, and siblings to help take care of the children while Popa worked to keep food on the table. Jesse stayed for a year or two and the way I understand it is Jesse went back to McAdoo to live with a blind sister who had taught school at McAdoo before she became blind. Is there anyone in McAdoo that can help me identify or find Jesse Collins? I will appreciate any help anyone can give me. Sincerely, Pat Sellers, December 15, 2005

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