Weches, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Weches, Texas
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Weches water tower
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 Weches, Texas
Location in Texas
Weches, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Houston |
| Founded | 1847 |
| Elevation | 456 ft (139 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 26 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
75844
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| Area code(s) | 936 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1385453 |
Weches (pronounced WEE-chiz) is a small, unincorporated community located in Houston County, Texas, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that has a shared identity but no official local government. In 2000, only 26 people lived in Weches, but by 2010, its population had grown to 46.
Contents
History of Weches
Weches was started around 1847 by a person named T. J. Hennin. He chose a spot near a large village of Tejas Indians and the San Francisco de los Tejas Mission. Hennin first named the settlement "Neches" after the nearby river.
Early Post Offices and Name Change
A post office opened in January 1847 under the name Neches. It closed in July 1848 but reopened in 1853 as Naches. This name was used until 1882. In 1887, when people wanted a new post office, they found that another town had already taken the name Neches. So, the citizens decided to change their community's name to Weches.
Growth and Decline
In 1890, Weches had a gristmill (for grinding grain), a cotton gin (for separating cotton fibers), a general store, a Baptist church, and about 100 residents. The community grew quickly, and by 1896, the population soared to 400 people. Around the turn of the century, a Methodist church and a Church of Christ were also built.
Weches continued to do well for the next 20 years. However, its population began to decline in the early 1930s. By 1936, only 150 people lived there, and there were just four businesses. World War II caused many residents to move away. By the early 1970s, the population dropped to 26, and there were no businesses left. It stayed at that level until 2000.
Catholic Mission
The first Catholic mission in Weches was founded in 1690 by Franciscan Father Damián Massanet. This mission was part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tyler.
Recent Events
In April 2019, a strong tornado hit Weches. It caused a lot of damage, flattening many trees and destroying some homes.
Geography
Weches is located on Texas State Highway 21 and State Park Road 44. It is near the Neches River in the San Pedro River valley. The community is about 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Crockett.
Education
Students in Weches attend schools in two different districts: the Kennard Independent School District and the Grapeland Independent School District.
