Blogs from Rusk, Texas, United States, North America - page 2

According to Wikipedia, the Texas State Railroad started construction near Rusk, Texas; built by inmates of the new Rusk Penitentiary to transport raw materials for the iron blast furnace at the Penitentiary. The building of the Texas State Railroad and the Rusk Penitentiary are linked with both located in the Rusk area (Cherokee County), and both starting operations in 1883. In 1906 the railroad reached Maydelle. Then in 1909 the railroad was completed to Palestine in Anderson County. Now the Texas State Railroad is operated as a scenic tourist train line through the countryside. The real story about the Texas State Railroad is from the old Rusk Penitentiary (1883-1917). Now the old penitentiary is located in the Rusk State Hospital (a medium security prison). I thought there was no chance for my entry; and they were ... read more

Preface: This blog is one of about five new blogs centered around Cherokee County, Texas that I hope to complete in September, 2019. My farmer friend and guide (and East Texas railroad historian) was very helpful and I use the internet for more historic information. Most of these locations prospered in the 1880s by getting a spur line railroad to Jacksonville, Texas; to use the main railroad to ship their agricultural products to markets in East Texas. These blogs were all shot on Aug. 26, 2019. I was riding with my good friend from Cherokee County and he drove me to the nearby small town of Neches in Anderson County, just four miles West (as the crow flies) of the Neches River, and Cherokee County. My friends small ranch & farm drains down to the Neches ... read more

According to the Cherokee County book, John Dial was a Civil War hero for the South serving under General "Stonewall" Jackson, then under General A P Hill. Later Dial served under General Robert E Lee all the way to Appomattox, Virginia. After that bad war John Dial returned to his homestead and found that General Sherman destroyed his home and farm. Dial then moved to Texas. According to TexasExcapes.com, in 1866 John J Dial arrived NW of Rusk, Texas and started farming. In 1882 the Kansas and Gulf Short Line Railroad reached Dial's area. In 1883 John deeded eight acres of his land to the railroad so they added a railroad stop there. Dial opened a general store there by the railroad. John applied for a Post Office in Dial, Texas in 1885; but there was ... read more