Nigton, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nigton
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 Nigton
Location in Texas
Nigton
Location in the United States
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| County | Trinity |
| Founded by | former slaves |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 87 |
Nigton is a small, special place in Trinity County, Texas, United States. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it's a town without its own local government. In 2000, about 87 people lived there. Nigton is part of the larger Huntsville, Texas area.
Contents
History of Nigton
How Nigton Started
Nigton was founded in 1873 by people who had been slaves but were now free. They created a "freedom colony" in northeastern Trinity County. Many of these new residents continued to work as farm laborers. Some became sharecroppers, meaning they farmed land owned by others and shared the crops. Others started their own farms or ranches.
A man named Jeff Carter, who was a leader in the community and a former slave, suggested the name Nigton. In 1894, the town got its own post office. By 1896, Nigton was growing! It had three churches, a sawmill (for cutting wood), a gin (for processing cotton), and shops for making wagons and shoes. About 500 people lived there then.
Changes Over Time
Sadly, the post office in Nigton closed on April 30, 1932. By the 1940s, only a church and a store remained, and the population dropped to just 10 people.
However, in the 1990s, Nigton started to grow again. The 1990 United States Census counted 34 residents. Many of these people were descendants of the original families who founded the town. By the 2000 United States Census, the population had reached 87.
In 2017, a special historical marker was put up to honor the community and its unique past.
Community Life and Leaders
As more African Americans bought land in the 1880s, Nigton became a strong farming community. It was known for its well-planned farms, good cattle, hogs, poultry, and fresh produce.
One important leader was Jefferson Calhoun Carter (1855–1936). He was a politician and landowner who graduated from Wiley College. He helped build community pride until he passed away in 1936.
The people of Nigton built their own churches, like Mayo Baptist Church and Pine Grove Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. They also had a Masonic Lodge and several shops. Since they were often not included in white community events, they organized their own fun activities. These included sports like baseball and basketball, and big neighborhood barbecues, especially for Juneteenth celebrations.
Nigton's Voting History
In the 2016 United States presidential election, Nigton was a unique place. It was the only voting area in all of Trinity County where most people voted for the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton. This makes Nigton a "voter island" because the rest of the county and region usually vote for the Republican party.
Where is Nigton?
Nigton is located in northeastern Trinity County, Texas. You can find it where two roads meet: Farm to Market Road 2262 and Farm to Market Road 2501. It's about 17 miles southwest of Groveton.
Learning in Nigton
Education has always been important to the people of Nigton. In the 1940s, Nigton had its own school. A school called Pine Island School was built in 1888 on land that was donated for this purpose.
In 1927–1928, the community worked hard to get a Rosenwald grant for a new school building. They also raised over $5,000 through bonds and donations. This new school had four teachers and a shop space. It offered classes from elementary to high school and served as a training center for the county.
Professor Wayne Wright Johnson was a famous educator and researcher who taught at the Nigton school from 1910 to 1950. He graduated from Prairie View A&M College, where he studied botany. He later became the principal of the Nigton school and was very dedicated to education there. He passed away in 1969.
Today, students from Nigton attend schools in the Apple Springs Independent School District.
Famous People from Nigton
- Larry Gossett is a Democratic politician and activist. He was born in Seattle, but his parents were sharecroppers who moved there from Nigton.
