Craft, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Craft, Texas
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 Craft, Texas
Location in Texas
Craft, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Cherokee |
| Elevation | 495 ft (151 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
Craft is a small place in Cherokee County, Texas, USA. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. In the year 2000, about 21 people lived there. Craft is part of a larger area that includes the cities of Tyler and Jacksonville.
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History of Craft
How Craft Got Its Name
Craft got its name from Thomas J. Craft. He was the first postmaster there. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office. The post office in Craft opened in 1891. It stayed open for many years until 1929.
Railroads and Growth
A railroad was built through Craft in 1875. This railroad connected Craft to nearby towns like Rusk and Jacksonville. At first, it was called Rusk Transportation. Later, it became known by other names. Railroads were very important for moving goods and people back then.
The Tomato Boom
Craft became very successful because of tomatoes! On June 14, 1897, a whole carload of tomatoes was shipped from Craft. This made the community grow a lot for the next few decades.
In 1896, only 10 people lived in Craft. But by 1925, the population grew to 50 people. At its busiest time, Craft had a post office, a train station (called a depot), a church, and two general stores. It also had two sheds just for packing tomatoes!
Changes Over Time
After its busy years, Craft's population went down. From 1972 to 2000, about 21 people lived there. This happened as the area became more like a city, and farming became less common.
In the mid-1980s, Craft still had a church and a store. There were also several houses spread around. In 1985, a special marker was placed in Craft. This Texas Historical Marker helps people remember the community's history.
Where is Craft Located?
Craft is found in the northern part of Cherokee County. It is right along U.S. Highway 69. This highway is a major road. Craft is about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Jacksonville.
Education in Craft
Craft used to have its own school. There were three teachers who worked there. Today, students in the Craft area go to schools in the Jacksonville Independent School District.
