Davilla, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Davilla, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
 Davilla, Texas
Location in Texas
Davilla, Texas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Milam |
| Elevation | 545 ft (166 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 254 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1355683 |
Davilla (/dəˈviːlə/ də-VEE-lə) is a small, unincorporated community in Milam County, Texas, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a shared identity but doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. According to the Handbook of Texas, about 200 people lived there in 2000.
History of Davilla
Davilla was founded in the 1860s. It was named after Miguel Davila, who originally owned the land. A surveyor named Chamberlin bought the land and started selling plots. He made a rule that no alcohol could ever be sold in the village.
A post office opened in Davilla in 1871. Even when the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway train tracks were built several miles away in 1881, Davilla continued to do well. Some people moved away, but the community remained strong.
In the mid-1880s, about 350 people lived in Davilla. The community had three churches, three gristmills (which grind grain), three cotton gins (which separate cotton fibers), and a steam sawmill.
Davilla's population slowly decreased over time. It went from 500 people in 1896 to 400 in the 1920s. By the mid-1940s, about 300 people lived there. In the early 1970s, the population was only 72.
However, the population started to grow again in the 1980s. By 1988, the village had 200 residents. You could see five churches and many businesses on the county highway map. Davilla's population stayed at 200 through the year 2000.
On November 23, 2004, a small tornado, called an F0 tornado, hit Davilla. It caused damage to one house and another building.
Where is Davilla?
Davilla is located in western Milam County, Texas. You can find it on Farm to Market Road 487. It is about 18 miles (29 km) west of Cameron. It is also about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Rockdale.
Schools in Davilla
Davilla had its own school in the mid-1880s. By 1903, the community had two schools. One school had three teachers and 161 White students. The other school had one teacher and 38 Black students.
Eventually, these schools became their own school district. In June 1964, the Davilla school district joined the Bartlett Independent School District.
Famous People from Davilla
- Erbie Bowser: He was a talented Blues pianist and singer.
- William F. Sharp: He served in the 20th Texas Legislature in 1887. This means he was a representative in the Texas state government.
