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History in a Pecan
Shell
Ambrose was named after Ambrose Bible, a Tennessean who arrived
in 1883. He bought land that was in old Fannin County, from which Grayson County
would be cut in 1846. The Denison, Bonham and New Orleans Railroad attemped to
run a spur from the MKT in Denison
but failed.
In January 10, 1902, Ambrose was platted and by September
a post office was opened. The following year Bible deeded land for a right-of-way
to the DB and NO railway.
In 1907 a school was built - also on land donated
by Ambrose Bible. Soon Ambrose had a Methodist, Church of Christ, and Baptist
church. A new school was built in 1917 and the town reached its high-water mark
two years later. Since most people in the area were farmers, Ambrose never grew
past 60 people. The DB&NO railroad went bankrupt in 1927 and the Ambrose post
office moved to Bells in 1930. From then on, Ambrose's mail was routed through
Bells. In 1980 the population was estimated at just forty-one. The former school
is now in use as a community center. |
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| "It
looks as though the former schoolhouse was used as a community center for awhile,
but it does not look as though it is being maintained at this point." - Stephen
Taylor. Photo courtesy Elizabeth
Taylor, May 2006 |
Another
view of the Ambrose Community Center
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, February 2007 |
Photographer's
Note:
Ambrose is kind of a strange town. It is located almost due north of Bells
and has some kind of huge mining operation on at least two sides, north and west.
The road literally dead ends into the entrance to the mine. The Gold Mine sign
is probably somebody's joke. You can see the crane behind the Community Center.
There seems to be only one way out of Ambrose and that is the way you came. -
Barclay
Gibson, February 13, 2007 | |
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