Cistern, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cistern, Texas
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 Cistern, Texas
Location in Texas
Cistern, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Fayette |
| Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 75 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78941
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| Area code(s) | 361 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1332857 |
Cistern is a small, unincorporated community in southwestern Fayette County, Texas, United States. It is located on Texas State Highway 95, about 12 miles northwest of Flatonia. This quiet place was once known by other names like Whiteside's Prairie and Cockrill's Hill.
As of the year 2000, Cistern had a population of 75 people.
Contents
The Story of Cistern: How It Began
Cistern is built on a small hill. This hill is surrounded by much flatter land called a prairie.
The area was first part of a large piece of land. This land was given to John J. Whiteside in 1835. It was a grant from the government of Mexico. Early settlers called this area "Whiteside's Prairie."
In 1852, Stark S. Cockrill moved to the area from Missouri. He was the first settler on the hill. He built a general store there. Soon, other settlers arrived. The town was then measured and divided into blocks. At this time, the growing town was called "Cockrill's Hill."
Why the Name "Cistern"?
The town's name changed in 1857. The people wanted to get a post office. They decided to name the town "Milton," after Cockrill's son. But this name was not approved.
After thinking it over, the citizens chose the name "Cistern." This was because the water from wells in the area had many minerals. This meant the water was not good for drinking. So, people had to collect rainwater in large tanks called cisterns.
It is said that people often went to the big cistern at the store. When asked where they were going, they would often say "to the cistern." The Cistern post office opened in March 1858. The town has been known by this name ever since.
Cistern Through the Years
In 1900, Cistern had about 150 residents. It had a general store, a drugstore, a saloon, a blacksmith shop, and a doctor. By 1950, the population was still around 150 people. There were two stores and two garages.
The Cistern Post Office closed in December 1953. After that, people in Cistern received their mail from Flatonia.
During the 1950s and 1960s, farming changed. Cotton became less popular. More landowners started raising cattle and chickens. Some oil fields were found in the 1950s and 1960s. A few oil wells were drilled. However, most of them were later closed. The land was then turned back into pastures for animals.
In the 1980s, Cistern had 75 residents and three businesses. The community had 75 residents in both the 1990 and 2000 censuses.
Community Life in Cistern
Cistern is home to people with different backgrounds. These include Anglo-American, Czech American, and German-American residents. The community often gathers around its Catholic and Lutheran churches. They also have a Harmony Club and other local groups. The local school is also an important part of community life.
Learning in Cistern
Cistern is part of the Flatonia Independent School District. This means students from Cistern attend schools in Flatonia. In the past, Cistern had its own school. In 1950, Cistern even had a high school with two teachers.
