Telegraph, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Telegraph, Texas
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 Telegraph, Texas
Location in Texas
Telegraph, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Kimble |
| Elevation | 1,854 ft (565 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 325 |
| FIPS code | 48-72092 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1379144 |
Telegraph is a small, quiet place in Kimble County, Texas, United States. It is often called a ghost town because very few people live there now. You can find Telegraph along U.S. Route 377, about 13 miles (21 km) southwest of Junction.
Contents
The Story of Telegraph
How Telegraph Got Its Name
Even though its name is Telegraph, this town never had a telegraph machine. The name came from something else entirely. During the 1850s, people cut down trees near this spot. These trees were used to make poles for telegraph lines. That's how the area got its unique name.
Early Days and the Post Office
Telegraph started to become a real community in the early 1900s. On February 17, 1900, the town got its first post office. Ruth Holmes was chosen as the very first postmaster. This meant she was in charge of all the mail for the area.
By the 1890s, many ranches were set up in the beautiful Texas Hill Country around Telegraph. The town's only building served many purposes. It was a home, a country store, and the post office all in one.
A Popular Spot for Visitors
In the 1920s, Telegraph became a popular place for vacations. People loved to camp by the river nearby. It was a great spot for hunters and fishermen too.
By 1925, Telegraph even had cabins you could rent by the river. The main building continued to be a gas station, post office, and general store. The person who ran the post office also lived there. The post office eventually closed in 2009.
A Historic Landmark
The old general store and post office building was built between 1890 and 1900. It is a very important part of Texas history. In 1996, it was officially named a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. This means it's a special building that helps tell the story of Texas. Its marker number is 5219.
Telegraph's Peak and Famous Neighbor
At its busiest time in 1966, Telegraph served about 56 people. These were people who lived on ranches and in the surrounding areas. They used Telegraph's post office for their mail.
Telegraph was also close to the ranch of a very famous person. This was Coke Stevenson, who was once the Governor of Texas. He was known as "Mr. Texas" and lived about a mile from Telegraph.
Weather in Telegraph
Understanding the Climate
The weather in Telegraph is usually warm. Summers are hot and humid, meaning the air feels sticky. Winters are generally mild, not too cold. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, you might see it marked as Cfa.
Notable People from Telegraph
Governor Coke Stevenson
One of the most well-known people connected to Telegraph is Coke Stevenson. He was a very important public servant in Texas for many years. He served as the Governor of Texas. He is also remembered for a very close election in 1948. He narrowly lost to Lyndon B. Johnson in the race to become a U.S. Senator.
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