Purdon, Texas
Encyclopedia
Purdon is an unincorporated community
in Navarro County, Texas
, United States
. According to the Handbook of Texas
, the community had an estimated population of 133 in 2000.
.
(also known as the "Cotton Belt") was built two miles south of Belle Point and lots were soon platted around the rail stop. The new community was named Purdon. Credit for the name is given to a railroad man named Harris, who was attracted to a cashier where he brought supplies – Miss Ada Purdom. By an inadvertent spelling mistake at the general office, the town became Purdon. A post office was established in 1881. Purdon became a thriving community with most of the black land in the area used to raise cotton, corn, and other feed grains. By 1896, approximately 80 people lived in the community. In 1912, a new two-story brick school was completed. According to 1920 Census figures, Purdon had a population of 346. With the coming of school buses in 1928, Belle Point, Jester, and Silver City schools were consolidated with Purdon. The population began to steadily decline, falling to 30 in 1930, and 262 by 1940. The decline accelerated after World War II
, when many residents left he area in search of greater job opportunities in larger cities. Purdon's school was consolidated with nearby Dawson
in the fall of 1959. As of 1960, Purdon recorded 151 inhabitants, less than half of the population at its peak in 1920. During the remainder of the twentieth century, the population hovered around 133. Today, most residents travel to either Corsicana or Dawson for groceries, banking, doctors, and employment.
Although Purdon is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 76679.
.
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 Navarro County, 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...
. According to the Handbook of Texas
Handbook of Texas
The Handbook of Texas is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association .-History:...
, the community had an estimated population of 133 in 2000.
Geography
Purdon is located at 31°56′57"N 96°37′00"W (31.9490462, -96.6166545 ), along FM 55, three miles south of State Highway 31 in south central Navarro County. Purdon is situated approximately 14 miles southwest of CorsicanaCorsicana, Texas
Corsicana is a city in Navarro County, Texas, United States. It is located on Interstate 45 some fifty-five miles south of downtown Dallas. The population was 24,485 at the 2000 census...
.
History
The earliest named settlement near what would later become Purdon was a community called Belle Point. It was originally settled by Captain J.A. Harrison. In the early 1880s, the St. Louis Southwestern RailwaySt. Louis Southwestern Railway
The St. Louis Southwestern Railway , known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply Cotton Belt, was organized on January 15, 1891, although it had its origins in a series of short lines founded in Tyler, Texas, in 1870 that connected northeastern Texas to Arkansas and southeastern...
(also known as the "Cotton Belt") was built two miles south of Belle Point and lots were soon platted around the rail stop. The new community was named Purdon. Credit for the name is given to a railroad man named Harris, who was attracted to a cashier where he brought supplies – Miss Ada Purdom. By an inadvertent spelling mistake at the general office, the town became Purdon. A post office was established in 1881. Purdon became a thriving community with most of the black land in the area used to raise cotton, corn, and other feed grains. By 1896, approximately 80 people lived in the community. In 1912, a new two-story brick school was completed. According to 1920 Census figures, Purdon had a population of 346. With the coming of school buses in 1928, Belle Point, Jester, and Silver City schools were consolidated with Purdon. The population began to steadily decline, falling to 30 in 1930, and 262 by 1940. The decline accelerated after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when many residents left he area in search of greater job opportunities in larger cities. Purdon's school was consolidated with nearby Dawson
Dawson, Texas
Dawson is a town in Navarro County, Texas, United States. The population was 852 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dawson is located at ....
in the fall of 1959. As of 1960, Purdon recorded 151 inhabitants, less than half of the population at its peak in 1920. During the remainder of the twentieth century, the population hovered around 133. Today, most residents travel to either Corsicana or Dawson for groceries, banking, doctors, and employment.
Although Purdon is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 76679.
Education
Public education in the community of Purdon is provided by the Dawson Independent School DistrictDawson Independent School District (Navarro County, Texas)
Dawson Independent School District is a public school district based in Dawson, Texas . Dawson ISD serves southwestern Navarro County, including the unincorporated community of Purdon...
.