Quarry, Texas facts for kids

Quarry is a small, quiet place in northern Washington County, Texas. It's not a city or town with its own government, but rather an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that are part of the larger county. Quarry is located along State Highway 36, a bit northwest of Brenham, which is the main city and "county seat" of Washington County. Its elevation is about 256 feet (78 meters) above sea level.

What is Quarry?

Quarry got its name from the many rock quarries that used to be in the area. A quarry is a large pit or hole dug into the ground to get out stone, sand, or other materials. These materials are then used for building roads, houses, and other structures.

How Quarry Began

The community of Quarry grew up along the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway. Railways were very important in the past for transporting goods and people. The railway helped the quarries send their stone to other places. In 1891, Quarry even had its own post office, which was a big deal for a small community, showing it was a busy place.

Why Quarry Changed

Over time, Quarry started to become smaller. One big reason was that the mining of stone became less important in the area. When the quarries didn't need as many workers, people moved away to find jobs elsewhere. Because of this, the post office in Quarry closed in 1905.

Quarry Today

Even though the mining industry changed, the community of Quarry didn't disappear completely. In recent years, ranching has become the main activity in the area. Ranching means raising animals like cattle on large pieces of land. So, while the way people make a living in Quarry has changed, it remains a part of Washington County's history and present.