Campbellton, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Campbellton, Texas
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 Campbellton, Texas
Location in Texas
Campbellton, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Atascosa |
| Elevation | 240 ft (70 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 830 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1372901 |
Campbellton is a small place in Atascosa County, Texas, United States. It's called an unincorporated community. This means it doesn't have its own city government. Instead, it's part of the larger county. In 2000, about 350 people lived there. Campbellton is also considered part of the larger San Antonio area.
History of Campbellton
The community of Campbellton was started in the 1860s by an Irish immigrant named John F. Campbell. He encouraged people to move to the area.
John F. Campbell became the first postmaster when a post office opened in the 1870s. He also opened a general store. He even held church services in his home.
In 1884, about 25 people lived in Campbellton. By 1890, the population grew to 30. At that time, the community had three churches, a gin (for cotton), and two livestock breeders. There was also a lumberyard.
The population dropped a bit in the mid-1890s. But the community still had a general store and another livestock breeder. By 1914, there were seven cattle breeders. The population returned to 30 people.
Campbellton continued to grow when the San Antonio, Uvalde, and Gulf Railroad arrived in 1912. In 1914, Beekeepers began making honey to sell. The population reached 50 in 1925.
By the 1950s, the population jumped to 368 people. Around ten businesses were operating in Campbellton. Oil was discovered in 1956, which changed the area. However, ranching (raising cattle) eventually ended.
From the 1960s through 1990, the population was about 275. There were usually three businesses open. In 2000, the population was 350, with ten businesses. Some signs and magazines say the population in 1990 was 482.
Even though it's an unincorporated community, Campbellton has its own post office. Its ZIP code is 78008.
Interestingly, a movie called The Wild Man of the Navidad was filmed in Campbellton. This movie is about a creature similar to Bigfoot. Some local people even appeared in small roles!
Where is Campbellton?
Campbellton is located in the southeastern part of Atascosa County. It's where U.S. Highway 281, FM 1099, and the Atascosa River meet.
It is about 12 miles (19 km) east of Christine. It's also about 54 miles (87 km) south of San Antonio.
Campbellton is also 20 miles (32 km) south of Pleasanton. It's 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Jourdanton. And it's 26 miles (42 km) north of Three Rivers.
Its location is important because it's on a main road that leads to the Rio Grande Valley. An alternate route of U.S. Route 281 also goes through the community.
Learning in Campbellton
John F. Campbell, who started the community, also founded its first school in the 1870s. In 1904, this school had 30 students and one teacher. Ten years later, in 1914, it had 169 students.
By 1938, the school had 240 students and seven teachers. After finishing elementary school, students would go to schools in Pleasanton for middle and high school. Today, children in Campbellton are still served by the Pleasanton Independent School District.
