Blackjack, Cherokee County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blackjack, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
 Blackjack, Cherokee County, Texas
Location in Texas
Blackjack, Cherokee County, Texas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Cherokee |
| Elevation | 430 ft (130 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area codes | 430 & 903 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1378012 |
Blackjack is a small, quiet place in Cherokee County, Texas. It's known as an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. In 2000, about 47 people lived there. Blackjack is part of a larger area that includes the cities of Tyler and Jacksonville.
Contents
History of Blackjack
Early Settlers and Naming
Blackjack was first settled in the 1840s by Robert Graves Stadler. He moved there from South Carolina. Robert Stadler was also a veteran of the Texas Revolution, a war that helped Texas become independent. His family members, including nieces and nephews, soon followed him to the area.
They decided to name the community Blackjack. This name came from the many blackjack trees that grew in the area.
Community Growth and Decline
In 1875, the Blackjack Baptist Church was started. The community began to grow more when John W. Gray and Tom Upchurch opened a store in 1916. At its busiest time, Blackjack had two stores, a place to process cotton called a cotton gin, a garage, a church, and about 100 residents.
However, over time, the community became smaller. The last store in Blackjack closed its doors in 1961. By 1966, the population had dropped to 75 people. In 1990, Blackjack still had its church and a few scattered homes. By 2000, the population was 47.
Where is Blackjack?
Blackjack is located in the northeastern part of Cherokee County. You can find it where two roads meet: Farm to Market Road 2750 and Texas State Highway 110.
It's about 18 mi (29 km) northeast of Rusk. It's also 5 mi (8.0 km) north of New Summerfield. Other nearby towns include Jacksonville (about 13 mi (21 km) northeast), Henderson (about 19 mi (31 km) southwest), and Troup (about 7 mi (11 km) south).
Education in Blackjack
Early Schoolhouse
Around the time of the American Civil War (1861-1865), a schoolhouse made of logs was built in Blackjack. This old school building was still standing even after World War I (1914-1918).
Joining a Larger School District
After World War II (1939-1945), the school in Blackjack joined the Troup Independent School District. This meant that students from Blackjack would attend schools in the Troup district.
Notable Person from Blackjack
- Bob Luman was a famous country and rockabilly singer-songwriter who came from Blackjack.
