Small town in NE Texas named after the Michigan city
Saw this little town on my way to Arkansas and remembered about the waymark category for this scenario. Not too much along the highway to show for the town, but I can always say I've been there! Coincidentally, it's not too far east of Paris, Texas. :)
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History in a Pecan Shell
Former Vice-President John Nance Garner's birthplace is about 6 miles SW on FM 410. Garner's name is more closely linked with Uvalde, Texas, where he had a vast sheep ranch. Garner and Sam Rayburn (who grew up in Fannin County) were fast friends throughout their lengthy terms of service in Washington. Rayburn, although a long-term resident of North Texas, was actually born in Tennessee.
The Starkesville Post Office moved to the new townsite along the Missouri Pacific Railroad and after the move was known as Bennett. Detroit, Michigan was the hometown of the railroad agent and he saw fit to rename the town Detroit.
The approximately 700 people of Detroit have done a great job of keeping their town looking its best.
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Detroit is on the old route of The Missouri Pacific / Texas Pacific Railroad and U.S. Highway 82, two miles from the Lamar county line in western Red River County. The old railroad tracks were removed in the early 1990's. Detroit was developed around the proposed route of the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1873. When the railroad was completed in 1876 the post office at nearby Starkesville was moved to the new town, which was named Bennett. On May 3, 1887 J. M. Stephens, the local railway agent, renamed the town Detroit for his former home in Michigan. Because of its location on the railroad the town soon became an important trading center and shipping point for area farmers. By 1884 the population had reached 200, and local institutions included two steam mills, two cotton gins, a church, and a district school. By 1890 the population had reached 750, and the town had a weekly newspaper, the New Era, published by S. B. Norwood. Two years later two hotels and a bank were in operation, and the population of Detroit was estimated at 900. By 1910 it had reached 1,500. During the years following 1910 the population of Detroit declined steadily, reaching a low of 425 by 1960. Then the town began to grow again, with populations of 726 and 805 reported in 1970 and 1980, respectively. In 1990 Detroit had 706 residents. The population was 776 in 2000.
Detroit is home to a Masonic Lodge, as well as a very active Lion's Club which was responsible for the renovation of the 100 year old tabernacle which is located on East Garner Street next door to the City Hall. In the earlier days the tabernacle was the meeting place for revival meetings in the summer and is presently used for that as well as other community activities. Being located approximately half way between Clarksville and Paris, Detroit is a convenient location for a family in which one parent works in Paris and the other one works in Clarksville. Detroit is proud of its independent school district. Its elementary campus on the south side of town consists of grades Kindergarten through grade five as well as classes for Head-Start for children age three and four. The High School and Junior High campus is located on the north side of town on FM 410.
Vice President john Nance Garner was born just outside of Detroit, Texas, and lived in Detroit from 1889 - 1992 in a house owned by his parents.
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DETROIT, TEXAS. Detroit is on the Missouri Pacific Railroad and U.S. Highway 82, two miles from the Lamar county line in western Red River County. It developed around the proposed route of the Texas and Pacific Railway in the early 1870s. When the railroad was completed in 1876 the post office at nearby Starkesville was moved to the new town, which was named Bennett. In 1887 J. M. Stephens, the local railway agent, renamed the town Detroit for his former home in Michigan. Because of its location on the railroad the town soon became an important trading center and shipping point for area farmers. By 1884 the population had reached 200, and local institutions included two steam mills, two cotton gins, a church, and a district school. By 1890 the population had reached 750, and the town had a weekly newspaper, the New Era, published by S. B. Norwood. Two years later two hotels and a bank were in operation, and the population of Detroit was estimated at 900. By 1910 it had reached 1,500. During the years following 1910 the population of Detroit declined steadily, reaching a low of 425 by 1960. Then the town began to grow again, with populations of 726 and 805 reported in 1970 and 1980, respectively. In 1990 Detroit had 706 residents. The population was 776 in 2000.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Fred I. Massengill, Texas Towns: Origin of Name and Location of Each of the 2,148 Post Offices in Texas (Terrell, Texas, 1936).
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