Alba, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alba, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| Counties | Wood, Rains |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.06 sq mi (2.74 km2) |
| • Land | 1.05 sq mi (2.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 449 ft (137 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 473 |
| • Density | 517.57/sq mi (199.87/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75410
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| Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
| FIPS code | 48-01636 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2412341 |
Alba is a small town in Texas, United States. It is located where U.S. Highway 69 and Farm To Market Road 17 meet. Alba is on the western edge of Wood County, Texas, south of Lake Fork. It is about ten miles west of Quitman. In 2020, 473 people lived in Alba.
Contents
History of Alba
Early Settlers and Naming the Town
The first person to likely settle in the Alba area was a gunsmith named Joseph Simpkins. He arrived with his family from Missouri around 1843. Before it was called Alba, the area was known as Albia or Simpkins' Prairie.
There are different ideas about how the town got its name. One story says it was meant for white settlers only. Another story suggests it was named after the son of a railroad official.
Oil and Railroads Arrive
In 1848, the Alba Oilfield was found just south of Alba. This discovery helped the area grow.
The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad came through Alba in 1881. One of the first things shipped to Alba by train was a telegraph office. It's said that one of the first messages received there told about the assassination of President James Garfield. Later that same year, Alba also got its own post office. It closed for a short time in 1882 but quickly reopened.
Town Growth and Coal Mining
By 1882, the town had a clear layout. Many shops opened to serve the people who came to cut wood for railroad ties. The population grew from 50 people in 1884 to 300 by 1896.
Around 1900, a deposit of lignite coal was found near Alba. To transport this coal, the Texas Short Line Railway was built in 1902 and 1903. This railway shipped coal from Alba and a nearby place called Hoyt to Grand Saline. By 1911, five mines in the area were producing about 40,000 tons of coal each month. The town's population reached about 1,500 people by this time.
Recent History
By 1990, Alba had grown and its borders reached into nearby Rains County. The population was 489 people then. It dropped to 430 in 2000.
Geography
Alba covers about 1.1 square miles (2.9 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the town limits. It is located about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northeast of Dallas, a major city in Texas.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 1,352 | — | |
| 1930 | 662 | −51.0% | |
| 1940 | 675 | 2.0% | |
| 1950 | 547 | −19.0% | |
| 1960 | 472 | −13.7% | |
| 1970 | 555 | 17.6% | |
| 1980 | 568 | 2.3% | |
| 1990 | 489 | −13.9% | |
| 2000 | 430 | −12.1% | |
| 2010 | 504 | 17.2% | |
| 2020 | 473 | −6.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 430 people living in Alba. The town had 196 households. The average age of people in Alba was 42 years old. About 24.2% of the population was under 18 years old.
Education
Students in Alba attend schools in the Alba-Golden Independent School District. The town is home to the Alba-Golden High School Panthers.
Media
In the past, Alba had two local newspapers. They were called the Alba Herald and the Alba Reporter.
Notable People
- Carroll Dawson: A well-known assistant coach and general manager in the National Basketball Association.
- Leon Payne: Known as "the Blind Balladeer," he was a famous country music singer and songwriter.
Images for kids
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Alba Town Square
See also
In Spanish: Alba (Texas) para niños
