Barnes Switch, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barnes Switch
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 Barnes Switch
Location in Texas
Barnes Switch
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Trinity |
| Elevation | 252 ft (77 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Barnes Switch (also called Barnes) is a small, undeveloped area in Trinity County, Texas, United States. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. This community is found where Texas State Highway 19 and Farm to Market Road 1893 meet.
Barnes Switch got its start because of a special track on the Waco, Beaumont, Trinity and Sabine Railway. This track was a railroad switch, which allowed trains to change directions. The community was named after a doctor named S. E. Barnes. In the early 1990s, only about 15 people lived there.
Who Was S. E. Barnes?
Samuel E. Barnes was a very important person in his time. He was a doctor, but he also did many other things. He was a merchant, which means he bought and sold goods. He was also a banker and helped people buy and sell land. He was also active in his church.
The Barnes Family History
Samuel's parents, Jacob Pope Barnes and Elizabeth Ann Rankin, were originally from Mississippi. They moved to Texas in 1866 and then to Trinity in 1872. Jacob Barnes opened a store with a partner named Frank Lister. He also worked as the county treasurer, managing the county's money, until he passed away.
After Jacob's death, Elizabeth was left to raise nine children. She was 43 years old at the time. She continued to run the family store with the help of her oldest son, Samuel Edward. Samuel was born in 1861 and passed away in 1914. His family's hard work helped shape the area, leading to the community being named in his honor.
