Ponta, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ponta, Texas
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 Ponta, Texas
Location in Texas
Ponta, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Cherokee |
| Elevation | 341 ft (104 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
Ponta (pronounced pahn-TAY) is a small place in eastern Cherokee County, Texas, United States. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. In 2000, about 50 people lived there. Ponta is part of a larger area that includes the cities of Tyler and Jacksonville.
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History of Ponta
Ponta started in 1901 and was first known as Donaho. But when the Texas and New Orleans Railroad decided to build its tracks somewhere else, the people living in Donaho moved away.
How Ponta Got Its Name
The new town of Ponta was built along the railroad tracks. Brothers W.T. and L.D. Guinn, along with W.T. Norman, helped set it up. Hubbard Guinn surveyed the land and first named it Hubb. In 1903, Robert Montgomery moved his store from the old Donaho site to the new settlement. He became the postmaster and changed the name to Ponta. He chose this name because "ponta" is a Latin word for "bridge," and there were many bridges over Mud Creek nearby.
Growth and Decline
After the name change, more businesses came to Ponta. A bank opened, and other stores followed. B. Everett owned a gin (a machine for separating cotton fibers) and a crate factory. Joe Bailey had a general store, and there was Redden's Drugstore and the Brazier Garage. P.E. Jones was the local doctor. A Masonic lodge (a type of community group) was built, and there were also a Baptist church and a Church of Christ.
The railroad helped Ponta grow by shipping lumber. Later, around 1925, the town became known for shipping many different kinds of plants to other states.
However, Ponta began to decline. Its post office closed in 1972, and mail was sent from nearby towns like Lone Star, Summerfield, and Jacksonville. The town lost its industries, and many businesses closed. The bank and gin shut down, the druggist and doctor passed away, and Dalby's store closed. The Masonic lodge moved to New Summerfield.
Joe Bailey's son, Jim, took over his father's store. After Jim died, Terry Perkins and Willard Wysick became the new owners. By the 1980s, only the Baptist Church, the Church of Christ, and a few scattered houses remained. In 1988, a new store and a beauty parlor opened. From 1970 to 2000, Ponta's population stayed at about 50 people.
Ponta's Location
Ponta is located where two main roads, Texas State Highway 110 and Texas State Highway 204, meet. It is about 9 mi (14 km) north of Rusk. It is also about 14 mi (23 km) southeast of Jacksonville, 21 mi (34 km) north of Alto, and 6 mi (9.7 km) south of New Summerfield. All these towns are in Cherokee County.
Education in Ponta
In the 20th century, Ponta had its own school. Later, it became part of the Rusk Independent School District. A store was built close to the school campus.
