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Eckert, Texas facts for kids

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Eckert, Texas
Eckert, Texas is located in Texas
Eckert, Texas
Eckert, Texas
Location in Texas
Eckert, Texas is located in the United States
Eckert, Texas
Eckert, Texas
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Texas
County Gillespie
Elevation
1,739 ft (530 m)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s) 830
FIPS code 48-22492
GNIS feature ID 1379698

Eckert is a fascinating ghost town located in Gillespie County, Texas. It's about 11.5 miles northeast of Fredericksburg. You can find it where State Highway 16 meets FM 1323, west of Willow City.

How Eckert Started

Early Settlers and Mount Zion

In 1875, white settlers arrived in this area. They built a log church called Mount Zion. A small community began to grow around this church.

The First Name: Nebo

The settlers named their new community Nebo. This name came from nearby Nebo Mountain, which was about 3 miles north.

How Eckert Got Its Name

A New Post Office

In 1903, the chance to open a post office was offered. George W. Graves was asked, but he said no.

Wilhelm Eckert Steps In

Later that same year, Wilhelm Rudolph Eckert opened a store in the community. He agreed to become the first postmaster.

Renaming the Town

Wilhelm Eckert asked for the town's name to be changed. So, Nebo was renamed Eckert, after him.

Why Eckert is a Ghost Town

Population Changes Over Time

Eckert's population was at its highest in 1925. About 100 people lived there then.

The Town Today

Today, Eckert is considered a ghost town. This means very few or no people live there anymore. It doesn't have its own ZIP code, but it shares the one for Willow City.

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