Belknap, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belknap
|
|
|---|---|
|
Ghost town
|
|
 Belknap
Location in Texas
|
|
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Texas |
| County | Young County |
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Belknap is a ghost town in Young County, Texas, United States. It was once the first county seat of Young County. The town was located right across from Fort Belknap. Today, not much is left of Belknap, making it a true ghost town.
Contents
Belknap's Early Days
Belknap was built about half a mile east of Fort Belknap. In 1856, it became the main town for Young County. It even got its own post office on August 14, 1856. People in Belknap traded goods with the soldiers at the fort and with travelers passing through.
A Busy Stop on the Trail
By 1858, Belknap was a busy place. The famous Butterfield-Overland Mail route, which delivered mail across the country, passed right through the town. About 150 people lived there. Belknap had a saloon, the post office, and several stores. It was a lively stop for many.
The Decline of Belknap
During the American Civil War, Belknap faced tough times. Many people left, and the town's population dropped sharply. The fort was mostly empty, and residents worried about attacks from Native American tribes. On November 5, 1866, the post office closed down.
Attempts to Revive the Town
In 1867, federal troops came back to Fort Belknap. But they left again just five months later because there wasn't enough water nearby. By 1870, only about 70 people still lived in Belknap. The post office did reopen on January 20, 1874.
Losing Its Importance
However, later in 1874, another town called Graham became the new county seat. This meant Belknap was no longer the most important town. The military fort closed for good in 1876. By 1880, only 40 people remained in Belknap. The post office finally closed for good in 1908.
Belknap Today
Even though Fort Belknap was rebuilt in 1936, the town of Belknap was never brought back to life. Today, all that remains of the old town are a graveyard and a few old houses. It stands as a quiet reminder of a once-busy frontier settlement.
