Chesterville, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chesterville, Texas
|
|
---|---|
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Colorado |
Elevation | 156 ft (48 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code |
77435
|
Area code(s) | 979 |
Chesterville is a small, unincorporated community located in eastern Colorado County, Texas, in the United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. In 2000, about 50 people lived here.
Contents
Discovering Chesterville, Texas
Chesterville is a quiet place in Texas. It's known for its history tied to farming and land development. Let's explore what makes this community special.
A Look Back: Chesterville's History
Chesterville started in 1894. A businessman from Chicago named John Linderholm bought a huge amount of land, about 60,000 acres. He did this through a company called the Southern Texas Colonization Company.
The community got its name from William P. Chester. He was the surveyor who mapped out the area. Many people moved here from states in the Midwest. They came because of the new land and the railroad.
Chesterville's Early Days
The plan to bring settlers was very successful. A post office opened in 1895. At its busiest, Chesterville had about 20 businesses. There were also many churches. The population grew to between 150 and 200 people.
Changes Over Time
However, the land was better for large farms and growing rice than for many small family farms. Because of this, Chesterville's population started to shrink. By 1914, only 75 people lived there. By 1933, the number dropped to 25.
The village post office closed in 1950. For many years after 1966, there were no official population counts. By the mid-1980s, only one business was left. It served the big rice farms in the area. Still, 50 people were living in Chesterville in 2000.
Where is Chesterville?
Chesterville is located in southeastern Colorado County. You can find it where Farm to Market Road 1093 crosses the Wharton County line. It's about 8 miles (13 km) east of Eagle Lake. It's also on the way towards Wallis.
Learning in Chesterville
Chesterville used to have its own school building. Today, students in the community attend schools managed by the Rice Consolidated Independent School District.