Saragosa, Texas, Reeves County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

Saragosa began with a settlement on Toyah Creek in 1880. The original site is four miles east of the present town. A post office was granted in 1884, however, it only lasted seven years before closing. It was reestablished in 1900.

A plat for the town was filed in 1909 and the railroad (The Pecos Valley Southern) arrived in 1911. The town only had twenty-five residents in 1925 but six years later it had increased to a respectable 150 people. In 1933 it had decreased back to 25. The 1940s were kinder to Saragosa and the town grew to 60 people. It increased to 90 by 1949 � remaining there until the 1960 census when it reached a record of 380 residents.

Ten years later it was back to only 173. As the 1980s closed, the population stood at 183 people. Saragosa was struck by a huge tornado on the night of May 22, 1987, killing 30 residents and injuring 121. Eighty-five percent of the town�s buildings were destroyed in the storm.

Toyah Creek
TE photo, September 2009

Reeves County 1920s Map showing Saragosa
Courtesy Texas General Land Office

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