Moscow, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moscow
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The historic E. C. Matthews Home in Moscow.
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 Moscow
Location in Texas
Moscow
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Polk |
| Named for | Moscow, Russia |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 170 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75960
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| Area code(s) | 936 |
Moscow is a small community in Polk County, Texas, in the United States. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. In the year 2000, about 170 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Moscow, Texas?
Moscow is located in the middle of Polk County, Texas. You can find it where two main roads meet: U.S. Highway 59 and Farm to Market Road 350. It's about 90 miles north of the big city of Houston.
A Look at Moscow's Past
How Moscow Started
The first people to settle in the Moscow area were David and Matilda Green in the 1840s. They set up the first post office in 1847. At first, the community was going to be called Greenville. However, postal officials thought that name was too much like Greensboro, Texas. So, in 1853, the name was changed to Moscow, after the famous city of Moscow, Russia.
Growing into a Trading Hub
By the late 1850s, Moscow became an important place for farmers in Polk County to trade their goods. It was also a popular stop for stagecoaches traveling on the Liberty-Nacogdoches Road. The town had many businesses, including places to process cotton, shops, saloons, and a hotel. The First Baptist Church was built in 1849, showing the community was growing.
Moscow's Famous School
Moscow was well-known for its school, the Moscow Masonic Academy. It was built in 1853 as the Moscow Masonic Male and Female Academy. Later, it was known as the Moscow Masonic High School. A very important person, William P. Hobby, who later became the Governor of Texas, went to this school. Sadly, the school building burned down around 1935.
Railroads and Industries
In 1880, the Houston, East and West Texas Railway reached Moscow, connecting it to other towns. Later, in 1899, a very short railroad called the Moscow, Camden and San Augustine Railroad was built. It was only seven miles long! To make it easier for people to get around town, a mule-drawn streetcar line connected the train station to the main business area.
Moscow also had many sawmills because of the large logging industry in the area. Other businesses helped the town's economy, like a cannery that processed vegetables and fruit, and a factory that made architectural columns for buildings.
Changes Over Time
In 1880, Moscow was the biggest town in Polk County, with about 228 people. By 1900, its population grew to 263. However, by the 1920s, there wasn't as much lumber left in East Texas because too many trees had been cut down. During the Great Depression, many farmers lost their farms, and lumber companies left the area. Because of these changes, Moscow's population started to get smaller. By the year 2000, only 170 people lived there.
Today, Moscow is a quiet community with a few local spots like Hobby Park, Big Jake's restaurant, and Kundi Ranch, all located near U.S. Route 59.
Learning in Moscow
Students in Moscow attend schools that are part of the Corrigan-Camden Independent School District.
Famous Person from Moscow
- William P. Hobby: He was a newspaper publisher and served as the 27th Governor of Texas from 1917 to 1921. He attended school in Moscow.
