Pittsville, Texas facts for kids
Pittsville was once a small community in Fort Bend County, Texas. It was located along Farm to Market Road 359, about three miles north of Fulshear. Today, many people think of Pittsville as a ghost town because its last residents moved away in the 1940s. However, the area around Pittsville is now growing as cities like Katy and Fulshear expand.
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History of Pittsville
Why Pittsville Started
In the 1840s, settlers chose to build their homes on the high prairie lands. They preferred this area over the swampy Brazos River bottoms. The river bottoms were very fertile, but they often flooded. The new settlement was named after the Pitts family. They owned a store and helped deliver mail to people living nearby.
By 1860, Pittsville was an important trading center. About 240 people lived there. Most people worked in farming or raising animals. But there were also many other jobs. People worked as carpenters, teachers, and doctors. There were also merchants, engineers, and even someone who dug artesian wells.
Life in Early Pittsville
Over time, Pittsville grew to have several general stores. It also had a blacksmith shop, where metal items were made. There was a millinery shop for hats and a photo studio. A two-story school, or academy, taught the children.
Pittsville got its own post office on May 31, 1870. Mrs. Lucy Upton was the first postmistress. The post office helped people send and receive letters.
Why Pittsville Disappeared
Pittsville began to decline after 1888. A new railroad line was built to the south of the community. The town of Fulshear was founded along this new railroad. Many people from Pittsville started moving to Fulshear. They wanted to be closer to the railroad, which made travel and trade easier.
The Pittsville post office closed on June 15, 1889. The last residents of Pittsville were Mrs. Alice Nesbitt and her daughter, Doris. They moved away in 1947. Today, only a few things remain from the old town. These include an old cistern and a group of trees.
Famous People from Pittsville
Many important families lived in Pittsville. These included the Bains, Walkers, Nesbitts, and Hugginses. Some notable people from Pittsville served in the Texas Legislature. These included William Sheriff and J. Wesson Parker. John Huggins was also from Pittsville. He was known for new ideas in horse racing.
During the American Civil War, some Pittsville residents supported the Confederate States Army. One such person was James Ashley Davis. He joined the Confederate Army when he was young. He fought in battles like Shiloh and Murfreesboro. After the war, he became known for driving cattle to market. He led Texas Longhorns along trails to places like Abilene, Kansas.
Pittsville Postmasters (1870–1889)
The post office was an important part of Pittsville. Here are some of the people who served as postmasters:
- Lucy Upton: May 31, 1870 – Oct 25, 1871; and Nov 20, 1871 – Mar 5, 1873
- Thomas Russell: Mar 5, 1873 – Apr 24, 1873
- Cliff Axson: Sept 20, 1877 – Apr 26, 1880
- Warren Miller: Apr 26, 1880 – Jan 25, 1881
- William Sims: Jan 25, 1881 – Oct 1, 1884
- Warren Miller: Oct 1, 1884 – Jun 8, 1888
- Wade M Robinson: Jun 8, 1888 – May 28, 1889
The post office closed on May 28, 1889. Its records were sent to Leslie in Waller County.
Education in the Area
Children living in the Pittsville area today attend schools in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District.
Images for kids
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This cement cistern is one of the few things left of Pittsville, Texas. It is located near the historical marker on FM 359.
