Ben Franklin, Texas facts for kids
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Ben Franklin is a small place in Delta County, Texas, USA. It's not a city with its own government. It's about 4 miles (6 km) northeast of Pecan Gap. It's also about 77 miles (124 km) northeast of Dallas. The area's ZIP Code is 75415.
The community was built on land given to Benjamin Simmons. It was named after his son, Benjamin Franklin Simmons. The Simmons family, along with the Birdwells and Hogues, arrived in 1835. They were some of the very first people to settle in this area.
How Ben Franklin Grew
The first post office in Ben Franklin opened in 1853. A year later, in 1854, a Methodist Episcopal church was built. The first school in the community likely started soon after the Civil War.
By 1884, Ben Franklin had about 200 people living there. Mail was delivered three times a week. The main businesses were related to cotton. They included cotton gins and shipping services. Other businesses were three sawmills and a shingle maker. There were also two flour mills and a feed mill. The town had three general stores, a saloon, a restaurant, and a pharmacy. A blacksmith shop was also open.
In 1886, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway built train tracks nearby. By 1889, Ben Franklin became a stop on this train line. In 1890, the population grew to 1,000 people. The town had two hotels and two places to keep horses. There was also a telegraph office. A grocery store opened, and a sign painter worked there. People could attend new Baptist, Christian, and Adventist churches. By 1892, Ben Franklin had two more hotels. A doctor opened an office, and a barber moved to town.
Ben Franklin's Decline and Revival
In 1895, the Texas-Midland Railroad built tracks through Cooper. Cooper was the county seat. This new railroad took away much of the business from Ben Franklin. By 1904, the number of people living in Ben Franklin dropped to 343. By 1912, only two businesses were left. In 1918, there were two separate schools. By 1925, the town had 300 people but no businesses.
However, Ben Franklin saw a small comeback by 1929. The population grew to 500 people, and a bank opened. By 1936, the railway through town was part of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe system. The town had seven businesses, a school, and three churches. The population was 300. In 1945, Ben Franklin was shrinking fast. It had 250 residents and seven businesses.
In 1964, Ben Franklin had a water tank, two churches, and two cemeteries. There was one business and the post office. About 150 people lived there. Six years later, a Ben Franklin Community Center opened. In 1976, the only business was Fremman's Grocery. By 1990, the community had 75 residents.
