Stoneburg, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stoneburg, Texas
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 Stoneburg, Texas
Location in Texas
Stoneburg, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Montague |
| Elevation | 938 ft (286 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 940 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1369240 |
Stoneburg is a small, unincorporated community in Montague County, Texas, United States. This means it is a settlement that is not officially part of a city or town. In 2000, about 51 people lived there.
Contents
History of Stoneburg
How Stoneburg Started
A small settlement began to grow in the early 1870s. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad built its tracks through the area in 1893. This brought new life and opportunities to the community.
Naming the Town
For five months, the post office was called Riley. Then, its name was changed to Stoneburg. This was done to honor J. M. Stone, a local rancher. He generously gave land for the town when the train arrived.
Population Changes Over Time
By the year 1900, the town's population grew to over 150 people. More than 100 people lived there until the Great Depression in the 1930s. The post office closed on March 31, 1954. After World War II, the number of people living in Stoneburg slowly went down. By the late 1980s, only 51 people lived there. The population was still 51 in the year 2000. In 1989, the community had only two churches and one gas station.
Natural Disasters Affecting Stoneburg
Stoneburg has been hit by strong tornadoes several times. On April 29, 1906, a tornado struck the town. Another powerful tornado hit Stoneburg on May 18, 1946. It destroyed a church, scattering pieces of it for a mile. Sadly, three people died in that storm. In April 1958, another tornado caused one person to be injured.
Wildfires and Evacuation
On April 9, 2009, wildfires forced everyone in Stoneburg to leave their homes. The fires then destroyed the community. The Texas Forest Service reported that the area was "burned over." This event made the community seem like a "ghost town."
Geography of Stoneburg
Stoneburg is located where two important roads meet. These are U.S. Route 81 and Farm to Market Road 1806. It is about 15 miles (24 km) west of Montague. Stoneburg is also about 12 miles (19 km) north of Bowie. Bowie Lake is a lake located about 2 miles (3 km) southwest of the town.
Education in Stoneburg
In 1883, W.T. Small used his ranch as a school for local children. Today, students in the Stoneburg area attend schools in the Gold-Burg Independent School District.
