Colfax, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colfax, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
 Colfax, Texas
Location in Texas
Colfax, Texas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Van Zandt |
| Elevation | 568 ft (173 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1378142 |
Colfax is a small community in Van Zandt County, Texas, United States. It is not a city or town with its own government. It is part of the larger Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area. In 2000, about 35 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Colfax: A Look at Its Past
How Colfax Got Its Name
Colfax started as a place called "Cold Water." It began with a simple log house. This house was used for religious services. An early settler, Elisha Tunnell, built a church there. It was known as "Tunnell's Chapel." Later, the community changed its name to "Colfax." This was to honor Schuyler Colfax, who was the Vice President of the United States at the time. A post office opened in Colfax in 1870. It stayed open until 1905. After that, mail came from a nearby town called Canton.
Community Life and Growth
The land for the community was given by people who lived there. It also had two churches in 1885. These churches were for Methodist and Cumberland Presbyterian groups. The area was also a popular spot for special religious gatherings. These included revivals and summer camp meetings.
Between 1885 and 1895, about 30 people lived in Colfax. By the 1930s, the population grew to around 100. At its busiest time, people in Colfax grew fruits and vegetables. The community had three churches, a cemetery, and several businesses and homes. The population later went down to 28 in 1968. It then grew to 35 from 1974 to 2000. By 2010, it had 44 residents.
The Colfax Cemetery
Another early settler named Kellam gave about 5 acres (2 hectares) of land. Part of this land was used to create a cemetery. The first person buried there was Elisha Tunnell in 1884.
Community Activities
In 1919, Colfax had a Masonic Lodge. This was a local club for men. During the 1920s, Colfax also had a boys' basketball team. They played against other teams from nearby towns.
Where is Colfax?
Colfax is located in southeastern Van Zandt County. It is about 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Canton. You can find it on Farm to Market Road 16. It is also at the very beginning of the Neches River.
Learning in Colfax: The Story of Its Schools
Early Education
Colfax had a school in Tunnell's Chapel in the late 1870s. Later, the community built a brick schoolhouse. In 1906, 122 students attended this school. Local groups like the Grange and Masonic organizations used the schoolhouse. They held meetings, revivals, and church services there. The school building was eventually taken down. This happened when Colfax joined the Van Independent School District in 1929.
Famous Faces from Colfax
Colfax has been home to some notable people:
- Vaneverie Bascom Cozby: He was the mayor of Grand Saline, Texas for 30 years.
- Brady P. Gentry: He was born in Colfax in 1896. He later became a United States Representative. This means he was elected to speak for his state in the U.S. government.
