Anchor, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anchor, Texas
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The intersection of FM 521 and County 44 (at left), once an important railroad intersection.
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 Anchor, Texas
Location in Texas
Anchor, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Brazoria |
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 979 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1351088 |
Anchor is a small, unincorporated community in central Brazoria County, Texas, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a shared identity but no official local government. It is part of the larger Greater Houston area.
Contents
A Look Back: Anchor's Story
Anchor has an interesting past, especially because of its railroads. The first railroad, the Columbia Tap, was built through this area before 1852. Later, in 1893, another railroad, the Houston and Brazos Valley, crossed the first one at a spot called Chenango Junction. A third line was added in 1908.
Busy Railroad Hub
Because of these three railroads, Anchor became a busy place. Four passenger trains passed through the community every day! A special building called a depot was built in the 1890s. This depot handled all the train business for nearby towns like West Columbia and Brazoria.
Trains took people to exciting events. They could go to the circus in Houston, see ships in Galveston, or watch baseball games in Velasco.
Founding the Community
The Anchor community started near an older place called Fruitland. Jacob Whistler's family moved here in 1895. They tried selling plots of land, but when that didn't work, they expanded into Anchor. The Whistler family then built a hotel and a restaurant for people living in the area.
A post office opened in Anchor in 1897. It stayed open until 1920, and after that, mail was sent from Angleton.
Life and Business in Anchor
Anchor was a busy trading center for local farmers. The town had several businesses. There were two general stores, two sawmills, and a cotton gin. You could also find a blacksmith shop, a cafe, and even a unique frog leg processing plant! There were two churches and Western Union Railroad service too.
Farmers in Anchor grew many different crops. These included cotton, corn, onions, cabbage, and tomatoes. They also raised animals like cattle, hogs, and chickens. The cattle provided milk, butter, and meat. A man named Burchard owned a canning factory that mostly processed tomatoes.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, Anchor faced some challenges. Roads improved, and more people started buying cars. This meant fewer people relied on trains. The town's population was about 50 people with two businesses in 1933. However, one store closed in the 1940s because of World War II.
Later, Texas State Highway 288 was built, bypassing the community. An oilfield nearby also meant the town didn't grow much. By 1950, Anchor was no longer listed in the census. In the 1980s, the only building left from the old days was a two-story house that used to be the Whistler Hotel.
How Anchor Got Its Name
The community's name might have come from a local cattle brand. Another idea is that it was named after Anchor, Illinois. An early settler in Texas came from that town.
Anchor in Pop Culture
Did you know Anchor was once featured on TV? An episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show, called "Remember the Alimony," was set in Anchor. In the show, the town was imagined to be very close to the Mexican border and had an army base.
Where is Anchor?
Anchor is located where Farm to Market Road 521 and County Road 44 meet. It is about 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of Angleton.
Learning in Anchor
Anchor used to have its own school. Minnie McMillan-Holland was a teacher there from 1914 to 1917. Today, students in Anchor attend schools in the Angleton Independent School District. Children go to Rancho Isabella Elementary School, Angleton Junior High School, and Angleton High School, all located in Angleton.
