Gay Hill, Washington County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gay Hill
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 Gay Hill, Washington County, Texas
Location in Texas
Gay Hill, Washington County, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Washington |
| Settled | 1839 |
| Named for | Early store owners, Thomas Gay and William Carroll Jackson Hill |
| Elevation | 371 ft (113 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1336452 |
Gay Hill is a place in Washington County, Texas, United States. It is known as a ghost town. This means it used to be a busy community, but now most people have moved away.
Contents
Where is Gay Hill?
Gay Hill is located in Washington County, Texas. You can find it about twelve miles northwest of a town called Brenham. It sits along Farm to Market Road 390.
The Story of Gay Hill
Gay Hill has a long and interesting history. It started as a small settlement and grew over time.
Early Days and New Names
The area was first known as the Chriesman Settlement. It was named after a man named Horatio Chriesman. In 1839, one of the very first Presbyterian churches in Texas was built here. A minister named Hugh Wilson started it.
In 1840, the Republic of Texas opened a post office in the settlement. At this time, the name was changed to 'Gay Hill'. It was named after Thomas Gay and William Carroll Jackson Hill. They owned the general store in town. Later, a Mason lodge and a Baptist church were also started here.
Important People and Places
A famous plantation called Glenblythe Plantation was located in Gay Hill. It was owned by Thomas Affleck. He was a nurseryman, which means he grew and sold plants. He discovered a special rose called the Old Gay Hill Red China rose. This rose is native to the Gay Hill area.
From 1853 to 1888, a school for girls called the Live Oak Female Seminary was in Gay Hill. Reverend James Weston Miller was the director of this college.
The Railway and Decline
In 1881, a railway line was built about two miles from Gay Hill. This railway was called the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway. Because of the railway, the town actually moved closer to the train stop! The old location became known as Old Gay Hill.
The railway helped the cotton industry grow. It made it easier to transport cotton. But after World War II, the cotton industry started to decline. Businesses in Gay Hill began to close. By 1971, most people had moved to nearby Brenham.
Gay Hill Today
Today, Gay Hill is a ghost town. There are no stores or schools left. The main activity in the area is ranching. The old Gay Hill School building was moved to Old Baylor Park in Independence, Texas. A historic building called the Red House is also in Gay Hill. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Texas.
How Many People Lived There?
The population of Gay Hill changed a lot over the years.
- By 1860, about 120 people lived there.
- By 1936, the population grew to 250 people.
- However, by 1958, it had dropped to 200 people.
- In 1993 and again in 2000, the population was 145 people.
