Burkett, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Burkett, Texas
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 Burkett, Texas
Location in Texas
Burkett, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Coleman |
| Elevation | 1,558 ft (475 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 325 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1331677 |
Burkett is a small community in Coleman County, Texas, USA. It's not officially a city or town. In the year 2000, about 30 people lived there.
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Discovering Burkett's Past
Burkett got its name in 1886 from William Burkett, who was the local postmaster. Before that, people wanted to call it Pleasant Valley, but the postal service said no. Some of the first people to live here were cowboys from the nearby McClennan ranch.
When H.H. Sackett moved to the area, he opened a general store. The cowboys bought land around his store, and that's how the settlement started. It quickly grew into a busy trading spot. By 1940, about 200 people lived in Burkett. It had three churches and five businesses.
However, the community's population soon started to shrink. By the 1980s, Burkett still had a post office, three churches, a community center, a gas station with a grocery store, and a cemetery. The main jobs in the area were farming, ranching, and oil production. From 1980 to 2000, the population stayed around 30 people. Even though it's not a city, Burkett still has its own post office with the ZIP code 76828.
Tornadoes in Burkett
Burkett has experienced a few tornadoes.
- On May 7, 1995, a tornado hit Burkett. It damaged three homes and destroyed a barn.
- Another tornado struck on April 26, 2015.
- On May 26, 2016, a tornado caused more damage. It snapped trees and damaged or destroyed some small buildings. The community center's roof was also damaged.
Where is Burkett Located?
Burkett is found in the northeastern part of Coleman County, Texas. It sits right on Texas State Highway 206.
Burkett's Climate
The weather in Burkett usually has hot and humid summers. The winters are generally mild, meaning they are not too cold. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
Learning in Burkett
Burkett used to have its own school in 1940. However, this school closed in 1957. After that, students from Burkett began attending schools in the nearby Coleman and Cross Plains Independent School Districts.
Famous People from Burkett
- Robert E. Howard: He was a writer who created the famous character Conan the Barbarian.
- Jack Martin: He was a basketball coach for the Lamar Cardinals team.
