Palo Pinto, Texas
Encyclopedia
Palo Pinto is an unincorporated town
in Palo Pinto County
, Texas
, United States
. It is the county seat
, and has an estimated population of 425.
The first Palo Pinto County Courthouse was built in 1857, and a two-story stone jail was built soon after. By 1860, Palo Pinto possessed a hotel, a law firm, several saloons and its own school. The Civil War
, however, had dire effect on commerce in the community forcing several businesses to close. Over the next decade or so, it evolved into a shipping point for the local ranching industry. The county's first newspaper opened in 1876, and throughout the 1870s the town remained the center of government, commerce, and only town and principal settlement in Palo Pinto County.
In 1880, Palo Pinto was bypassed by the Texas and Pacific Railway. Although it suffered, the population remained above 400 and it retained several businesses. The county seat has remained in Palo Pinto, even though it was surpassed as the largest town in the county by Mineral Wells
many years ago. The current Palo Pinto County Courthouse, located on US 180 at the center of town, was built in 1940. The population reached a high mark of 550 in 1947 before declining to around 400, a mark it has maintained fairly consistently ever since.
school, and seventh through twelfth grade attend Mineral Wells
schools.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Palo Pinto County
Palo Pinto County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,026 people, 10,594 households, and 7,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 14,102 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
, and has an estimated population of 425.
History
When legislation calling for organization of Palo Pinto County was passed in 1856, a community was designated to be built within 5 miles of the center of the county to serve as the seat of government. The county was formally organized in May 1857, and on August 18 of the same year the first session of the county court was held, at which time the plans for the new county seat were discussed and enacted. The community, then called Golconda, was laid out soon thereafter and received its post office in March 1858. It was around this time that the town (and, soon after, post office) were re-named Palo Pinto.The first Palo Pinto County Courthouse was built in 1857, and a two-story stone jail was built soon after. By 1860, Palo Pinto possessed a hotel, a law firm, several saloons and its own school. The Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, however, had dire effect on commerce in the community forcing several businesses to close. Over the next decade or so, it evolved into a shipping point for the local ranching industry. The county's first newspaper opened in 1876, and throughout the 1870s the town remained the center of government, commerce, and only town and principal settlement in Palo Pinto County.
In 1880, Palo Pinto was bypassed by the Texas and Pacific Railway. Although it suffered, the population remained above 400 and it retained several businesses. The county seat has remained in Palo Pinto, even though it was surpassed as the largest town in the county by Mineral Wells
Mineral Wells, Texas
Mineral Wells is a city in Palo Pinto and Parker counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 16,946 at the 2000 census. The city is named for mineral springs in the area, which were highly popular in the early 1900s...
many years ago. The current Palo Pinto County Courthouse, located on US 180 at the center of town, was built in 1940. The population reached a high mark of 550 in 1947 before declining to around 400, a mark it has maintained fairly consistently ever since.
Education
Palo Pinto is served by two school districts; children in Kindergarten through sixth grade attend the Palo Pinto ISDPalo Pinto Independent School District
Palo Pinto Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Palo Pinto, Texas .The district has one school that serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade....
school, and seventh through twelfth grade attend Mineral Wells
Mineral Wells Independent School District
Mineral Wells Independent School District is a public school district based in Mineral Wells, Texas . M.W.I.S.D. is a TEA Recognized School DistrictLocated in Palo Pinto County, a very small part of the district extends into Parker County.-Schools:...
schools.