|
|
ANSON, TEXAS
Jones County Seat,
West Texas / Texas Panhandle
Highways 83/277 and 180
24 miles North of Abilene
38 miles West of Albany
Population: 2,556 (2000)
|
|
|
Anson's 1907 Opera House
Photo courtesy Anson Chamber of Commerce |
History
in a Pecan shell
The town was built in anticipation of the arrival of the Texas
and Pacific Railroad. Investments were made and stores and hotels
opened. But the T & P went further south - through Baird, Abilene
and Sweetwater. A town is a terrible thing to waste - so the people
made the most of it. It began life as Jones City, Texas.
Jones City was declared the county seat in 1881 but the name was changed
to Anson in 1882. There wasn't too much opposition to the change of
name since Anson and Jones were the same man. As a physician, San
Jacinto veteran, publisher and founding member of the first Masonic
Lodge in Texas, Jones was a busy man. He also managed to be President
of the Republic of Texas and Texas' Ambassador to the United States.
He is buried in Houston's
Glenwood Cemetery and there is no record of him ever traveling
near the county that bears his name.
The Jones County
Courthouse |
|
|
Cowboy
Dance by Jenne Magafan - (1941)
Anson, Texas Post Office Mural
TE photo |
|
|
Dr Pepper
sign in Anson
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson |
Anson Attractions
Anson has
one of the nicest post office murals in the state and there
was some controversy when the artist painted an earthen jug into
the mural. It appears as if it might contain beverage alcohol -
but the artist never said.
Anson's
Opera house
was once the largest between Ft. Worth and El Paso and is still
a formidable building.
The Anson
Jones Museum: 1302 Avenue K Some of Anson Jones' personal items
are on display. Included in the exhibits is a miniature town square
c. 1904. See Anson
Jones
Anson is home
to the Cowboy's Christmas Ball and has been since 1885.
|
|
|
