Upton, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Upton, Texas
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 Upton, Texas
Location in Texas
Upton, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Bastrop |
| Elevation | 341 ft (104 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 512 & 737 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1379197 |
Upton is a small, unincorporated community located in Bastrop County, Texas, United States. An unincorporated community means it's a place with a shared identity but without its own local government. In 2000, about 25 people lived there. Upton is part of the larger Greater Austin area.
History of Upton
The first person to settle in Upton was J.P. Young in 1847. Later, three more settlers, John and Tom Hancock, and John Bright, also moved there. In 1894, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad came through the community. This led to a post office being opened, which stayed in business until 1929.
Upton was first called Como, but its name was later changed to Upton. By 1914, about 70 people lived in Upton. The community had a cotton gin, which is a machine that separates cotton fibers from their seeds, and a general store. A church was built the next year. The population then dropped to 25 people. In the 1930s, Upton had a community center where people could gather. The number of people living in Upton stayed at 25 for many years. It briefly grew to 50 in the late 1960s. In 2000, the population was back to 25.
Where is Upton Located?
Upton is found in the middle of Bastrop County. It is about 7 miles (11 km) south of the city of Bastrop.
Schools in Upton
The very first school in Upton was a simple one-room building made of logs. This log school was later replaced by a newer building made of wood. The land for this new school was given by the community's first settler, J.P. Young. In 1892, the school building was moved to its current spot.
By the 1930s, Upton had three schools. Two of these schools were for black students, and one was for white students. Today, students in Upton attend schools that are part of the Smithville Independent School District.
