Weeping Mary, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Weeping Mary, Texas
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 Weeping Mary, Texas
Location in Texas
Weeping Mary, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Cherokee |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unincorporated Town |
| Elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 40 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 903, 430 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1370986 |
Weeping Mary is a small, unincorporated community in Cherokee County, Texas, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and buildings that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. It is important because it is very close to the ancient Caddo Mounds State Historic Site.
Contents
History of Weeping Mary
Weeping Mary was started by people who had recently been freed from slavery. This happened shortly after the American Civil War ended. The community later built a Baptist church. In the 1930s, there were only a few houses scattered around. A church was added in 1990.
The community changed a lot over time. Tiny insects called boll weevils destroyed the cotton crops. Also, new machines meant fewer people were needed to work on farms. Many people moved away during the Great Migration. They looked for jobs in other parts of the country, especially on the West Coast. This was very true during and after World War II, when many jobs were available in factories that made things for the war. In the year 2000, about 40 people lived in Weeping Mary.
On April 13, 2019, a strong tornado hit the community. It was an EF-3 tornado, which means it caused a lot of damage. Several homes were destroyed, and the Caddo Mounds museum was also badly damaged. Sadly, some people were killed or injured during this event.
Why is it called Weeping Mary?
There are two well-known stories about how Weeping Mary got its name. These are like local legends.
One story says the name comes from Mary Magdalene. She is said to have cried at Jesus' tomb.
Another story says the town was named after a former slave. She cried after she lost her land. The government had promised her that her land would not be taken away.
Geography of the Area
Weeping Mary is located where two roads meet. These roads are Texas State Highway 21 and Farm to Market Road 2907. It is about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Rusk. It is also about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) southwest of Alto. This community is in the southern part of Cherokee County.
Education in Weeping Mary
The people of Weeping Mary started a local school for their children in 1896. At one point, 40 students attended this school. The school was still open in the 1930s. Today, students who live in Weeping Mary attend schools in the Alto Independent School District.
