Moran, Texas history, landmarks, attractions, photos, forum, travel. (original) (raw)
History in a Pecan Shell
Moran was born with the arrival of the Texas Central Railroad in 1882. Once known as Hulltown, for first storekeeper Swope Hill, the town was renamed Hicks, Texas in 1891. Finally, in 1892 it settled on Moran to honor railroad president John J. Moran.
The town had a population of just over 200 in 1900 and with the discovery of natural gas in 1910, the town became a service center for the oil industry.
Moran reached its high-water mark in 1940 with 710 citizens. By 1950 it had declined to 610 and by 1980 there were 344 people calling Moran home.
According to the Handbook of Texas, the town had two grain elevators as well as schools and three churches in the 1980s. The population was 285 in 1990.
The old Christian Church (with a museum)
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
Christian Church cornerstone
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
First Baptist Church Cornerstone
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
Moran's WPA Project school built with native stone
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
Main Street in Moran
Photo courtesy Rodney Stegall 2006
View of Moran Downtown Mural
Photos courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
View of Moran Downtown Mural
Photos courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
View of Moran Downtown Mural
Photos courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2007
Moran, Texas Forum
Subject: Moran, Texas
Greetings, folks! Loved the photos and "History in a Pecan Shell" on Moran, Texas. I've been surfing around trying to find out something about the place. My grandfather was born there in 1895. Guess his father, A. D. Norcop, and his father-in-law, Savory O. Larche, were early residents (1870s?)
I tried to call the Moran Historical Museum, but the number didn't work. When I saw the photo in your article, I had to laugh. No wonder!
I'm wondering if you could put me in touch with the author, Rodney Stegall. He says his mother's family goes back there. Also, if you have any contacts for Moran who might be able to help me find records, that would be great. I looked at a couple of other articles on Texas Escapes and it's been very interesting to see the creaking remains and the dignified monuments of old-time Texas. Good work! Blessings! - Christopher Logan, Eugene, Oregon, March 06, 2012
Subject: Moran, Zedlers Mill, Sagerton etc...
I grew up in Moran from 1963 to 1973 & I still consider it home, I could tell you tons of stories about this little town, but time and space does not permit. My grandparents on my mother's side grew up around there, and a lot of my family lived and died there. My grandparents, great-grandparents, father,sister, aunts,uncles etc...are all buried in the Dennis Cemetery about three miles out of Moran going toward Cisco. Four generations of my family graduated from Moran High School: my grandmother in 1929, my mother in 1951, my sister in 1971, and my niece in 1993. We still have our family reunion there in the Moran community center every year. I believe we have been having it for about 25 years. There is a museum in the old Christian church (above). I still love going to Moran since it reminds me of my childhood, when times were simpler and a lot less stressful, where most people knew each other & most got along. One of the downtown buildings collapsed when I was a kid I'm guessing the early 70s, but it's on the opposite side of where the photo was taken. As I said, I could tell you lots of stories from my memories of Moran, but there wouldn't be enough room... Thank You - Rodney Stegall, February 16, 2006
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