Bolivar, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bolivar, Texas
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 Bolivar, Texas
Location in Texas
Bolivar, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Denton |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1352625 |
Bolivar (pronounced BOL-i-ver) is a small, unincorporated community in northern Denton County, Texas, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that does not have its own local government. In 2000, about 40 people lived there. Bolivar is part of the larger Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area.
Contents
History of Bolivar
How Bolivar Got Its Name
The community started in 1859 and was first called New Prospect. A man named William Crawford donated the land. Hiram Daily, a doctor and a religious leader, then set up a general store and helped plan the town.
In 1861, a farmer named Ben Brown suggested changing the town's name. He had moved from a town called Bolivar in Tennessee. He convinced the people to vote for the new name, Bolivar. The town was named indirectly after Simón Bolívar, a famous leader from South America.
Early Days and Growth
In the 1800s, Bolivar was an important place. It was the first settlement west of Collin County. It was also the westernmost fort in Denton County. Two stagecoach lines used to switch horses here.
The town was busy and had many businesses. These included a sawmill, a gin (for cotton), a flour mill, a bar, and a blacksmith shop. There was also a church and a school.
The famous cattle trail, the Chisholm Trail, passed close by. Ranchers like John Simpson Chisum lived near Bolivar. Trail riders often stopped in Bolivar to stay at the hotel and visit the saloons.
Changes Over Time
Bolivar grew steadily until 1886. That year, many merchants moved their businesses to Sanger. Sanger was a new town along the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway.
From 1900 to 1940, Bolivar remained a small farming village. In the 1940s and early 1950s, the discovery of oil helped the town's economy. There were once 40 oilfields in and around Bolivar. In 1947, 115 people lived there. However, as oil production slowed down, the population also decreased.
By 1980, only 40 people lived in Bolivar. The town had a convenience store and a post office. The population stayed at 40 in both 1990 and 2000.
Bolivar in Film
In 1995, some scenes for the movie In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy were filmed in Bolivar.
Where is Bolivar?
Bolivar is located in Denton County, Texas. You can find it where Farm Roads 2450 and 455 meet. It is about 14 miles (22.5 km) northwest of Denton. It is also about 4 miles (6.4 km) from Sanger and 19 miles (30.6 km) from Pilot Point.
Education
Students in the Bolivar area attend schools in the Sanger Independent School District. All of these schools are located in Sanger.
Notable People
- Vincent Villafranca is a sculptor. He has worked a lot with David Iles of Bolivar Bronze.
