Pottsville, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pottsville, Texas
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 Pottsville, Texas
Location in Texas
Pottsville, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Hamilton |
| Elevation | 1,322 ft (403 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
76565
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| GNIS feature ID | 1344442 |
Pottsville is a small community in western Hamilton County, Texas, in the United States. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it doesn't have its own local government like a city does.
Contents
Pottsville: A Look at Its Past
Pottsville got its name from an early settler named John Potts, who was a shepherd. The community started in 1872 when Edmund T. Goggin gave land for the town. It was first known as a dry town, meaning alcohol sales were not allowed. A post office opened in 1879, helping the community grow.
Challenges and Changes Over Time
Pottsville has faced several tough times. In 1913, a big fire destroyed every business in town. Later, in 1922, another fire caused more damage. A powerful tornado hit in 1944, causing a lot of destruction and sadly killing one person.
The local cotton gin, which processed cotton, closed in 1931. In 1947, Pottsville had about 200 people and four businesses. By the 1980s, the population grew to 312. At that time, the community had three churches, a feed store, a mill, a garage, a general store, and a beauty parlor. The population stayed at 312 in 1990 but went down to 100 by 2000.
Early Businesses and Mail Service
Thomas Jefferson Burks, a friend of John Potts, built a store in Pottsville in 1877. Mail used to be delivered to the community from the nearby town of Hamilton. First, it came by a mule-drawn carriage, and later by a horse-drawn carriage.
Even though Pottsville is an unincorporated community, it still has its own post office. The ZIP code for Pottsville is 76565. In 2000, the area covered by this ZIP code had a population of 142 people.
Where is Pottsville?
Pottsville is located where three roads meet: Fm-218, Fm-221, and Fm-2842. It sits on Cowhouse Creek. The community is about 11 miles (18 km) west of the city of Hamilton. It's also about 96 miles (154 km) southwest of Fort Worth and 124 miles (200 km) northwest of Austin.
Pottsville's Climate
The weather in Pottsville is generally warm. It gets rain throughout the year. The climate is described as humid subtropical. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Learning in Pottsville
Pottsville is part of the Hamilton Independent School District. The Pottsville Independent School District used to be separate but joined the Hamilton district on July 1, 1989.
The first school in Pottsville was started in 1876. It continued to operate until at least 1986. During the 1980s, the school had both an elementary school and a high school.
Pottsville in Books
The famous writer Jim Thompson wrote a novel called Pop. 1280. The story in this book takes place in a fictional town also named Pottsville.
