Old Boston, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Old Boston, Texas
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 Old Boston, Texas
Location in Texas
Old Boston, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Bowie |
| Elevation | 351 ft (107 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 903 & 430 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1364395 |
Old Boston is a small community in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It is not an official city, but an unincorporated community. This means it doesn't have its own local government. In 2000, about 100 people lived there. Old Boston is located within the larger Texarkana metropolitan area.
Contents
History of Old Boston
Old Boston was first settled in the early 1830s. It was named after W. J. Boston, who owned a store there.
Early Days and Growth
In 1841, Old Boston was chosen as the county seat for the newly formed county. A county seat is the main town where the county government is located. A post office was opened in Old Boston in 1846. LD Vandike was the first postmaster.
Old Boston grew into a busy farming community. Many wealthy farmers lived there, especially near the Red River. During the 1860s, the population reached its highest point, with 300 to 400 people living there.
Changes and New Boston
In 1876, the Texas and Pacific Railway built its tracks about four miles north of Old Boston. Many people moved closer to the railway to be near the new transportation. This led to the creation of a new community called New Boston.
Because of this move, the population of Old Boston began to shrink. By the early 1880s, only about 75 people lived there.
Becoming "Old Boston"
Around the mid-1880s, Texarkana became the new county seat. This caused Old Boston's population to drop even further, to about 50 people.
The community started to be called "Old Boston" when people suggested moving the county seat to the geographic center of the county. The post office also moved about 2.5 miles north of the original settlement.
In 1984, Old Boston had two businesses, three churches, and a cemetery. By 2000, its population was 100 people.
Life in Early Old Boston
When Old Boston was first settled, Texas was still part of Mexico. Mail was brought to the community from Arkansas by people riding horses.
During the Texas Revolution, a group of soldiers called a battalion was formed in Old Boston to fight. The town also had several stores around its courthouse. Two Texas governors, Hardin R. Runnels and SWT Lanham, lived in Old Boston for a time.
Geography
Old Boston is located about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of New Boston. It is in the south-central part of Bowie County. The community is also about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Boston on Texas State Highway 8.
Education
Students in Old Boston attend schools in the New Boston Independent School District. In the past, Old Boston also had three private schools operating for a period of time.
