Reese, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Reese, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
Highway guide sign on the west side of Reese, alongside U.S. Highway 175, looking east.
|
|
 Reese, Texas
Location in Texas
Reese, Texas
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Cherokee |
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
Reese is a small, quiet community in Cherokee County, Texas. It's a rural area, meaning it's mostly countryside, not a big city. Reese is located in the East Texas region. About 75 people lived there at one point, but there isn't recent official information on its population. It's part of a larger area that includes the cities of Tyler and Jacksonville.
Contents
Where is Reese, Texas?
Reese is found along U.S. Highway 175. It is about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Rusk. You can find it in the northwestern part of Cherokee County.
Reese's History and Growth
Reese started as a settlement sometime after the American Civil War. The community really began to grow in the 1890s. This happened when a logging camp was set up there.
Early Businesses in Reese
By the late 1890s, Reese had a store, a mill, and a cotton gin. There were also several houses scattered around. In 1896, about 15 people lived in Reese. These three businesses were very important to the community.
In 1914, Reese had more businesses. It had a church, a drugstore, two cotton gins, and two sawmills. There were also two general stores. The population grew to 50 residents.
Reese's Peak and Decline
Reese continued to do well through the 1920s. Its population reached 100 people in 1929. However, things changed when U.S. Highway 175 was built. The new highway went north of Reese that same year. This caused the community to start shrinking. The decline continued after World War II. By the year 2000, the population was 75 people.
Other Local Businesses
Over the years, Reese had different kinds of businesses. There was a candle factory and a fish farm. A Ford car dealership was also in Reese. There was a mechanic shop too. Farming was also a big part of the economy. People grew hay, tomatoes, and peaches. They also had farms and ranches.
Mail Service in Reese
Reese had its own post office starting in 1895. The first postmistress was Miss Angie Lane. She first named the settlement "Andy" after a postmaster from Jacksonville. The post office stayed in Reese until the mid-1900s. Now, residents get their mail from nearby Jacksonville. You can also find stamps and drop off letters at the post office in Cuney.
The Railroad's Role
In 1901, a train track came through Reese. It had a special switch where trains could change tracks. The Texas and New Orleans Railroad first operated this line. Later, it became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad. This train line connected Dallas to Nacogdoches. It was mostly used for carrying goods, not people.
The train switch was named after Reese Lloyd. He was a train conductor for the T&NO. When people learned about the switch's name, the local postmaster changed the settlement's name to "Reese" from "Andy." For a few years, people could ride the train from Reese. But this passenger service eventually stopped. Freight trains still passed through the area.
Over time, railroad companies changed. Some train lines became too expensive or were no longer needed. This included the line through Reese. Southern Pacific stopped using the line in 1985. This was a big change for Reese's economy.
Modern Transportation and Economy
Even though Reese lost its train connection, it still has a major road. U.S. Highway 175 cuts through the community from west to east. This highway gives residents easy access to nearby cities. These include Jacksonville, Cuney, and Frankston. It also connects to farther cities like Athens and Dallas. This road is very important for the community's economy today.
Community Life and Activities
Reese has always been a place where people gather. Over the years, many social events have taken place. These include ice cream socials with homemade ice cream. Kids would go trick-or-treating at Halloween. People also went Christmas caroling.
The Community Church
Sometimes, there would be "dinner on the ground." This was an outdoor meal, usually in the afternoon. It would happen outside the community church. These meals were like potluck dinners. They were a way for church members to spend time together outside of regular services.
The church was very important in Reese for many decades. It was mostly a Church of Christ. Baptisms used to happen in nearby creeks. Sometimes, other Churches of Christ in the area would host them. In the 1970s, the church building was updated. It got a baptistry, which is a pool for baptisms. It also got indoor plumbing and air conditioning. This added much-needed space.
By the 1990s, most of the church members had either passed away or moved. So, the church decided to close down. Most members found new churches in bigger towns nearby. The church building was sold. It was moved to another church group in Cherokee County.
The Reese Community Center
In the mid-1970s, people decided Reese needed a community center. By July 1976, it was finished. It was built on the land where an old school used to be. The Reese Community Center has hosted many parties, dinners, and receptions.
Several times a year, a hamburger supper is held there. This event helps raise money. The money is used to take care of the community's cemetery and the Community Center. Once a year, the Reese Reunion was held at the center. Many people who used to live in Reese would come back for it.
However, in early 2018, the Community Center was sold. It was too expensive to keep up, and it wasn't used much anymore. The money from the sale went to the Reese Cemetery Association. This helps pay for the cemetery's care. Starting in 2019, the Reese Reunions happen every other year. They no longer have a special place to meet.
Education in Reese
For many years, Reese had its own school. But by the 1950s, classes were no longer held in the community. Now, the area is part of the Jacksonville Independent School District. The building that was once the school was torn down in the mid-1970s. This made space for the new Community Center.
Images for kids
-
Reese Community Center was originally built as a small brick building, but in later years, a covered pavilion was added onto the east side of the structure.
