Cherokee, Texas
Encyclopedia
Cherokee is an unincorporated community
in San Saba County
in Western Central Texas
. According to the Handbook of Texas
, the community had an estimated population of 175 in 2000.
and 18 miles north of Llano
.
Today, the community has a post office (zip code: 76832), a general store, and a volunteer fire department. Ranching and hunting are the primary business activities in the area. During the fall, seasonal hunting brings in additional revenue that supports fuel stations, a hardware store, and a feed store as well as taxidermy and restaurant operations. The Cherokee Home for Children, a basic-care residential children's facility is located just north of the community.
. The district has one campus, Cherokee School, that serves students in grades kindergarten through twelve.
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 San Saba County
San Saba County, Texas
San Saba County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Western Central Texas. In 2010, its population was 6,131. Its county seat is San Saba. It is named for the San Saba River, which flows through the county.-History:...
in Western Central Texas
Central Texas
Central Texas , is a region in the U.S. state of Texas. It is roughly bordered by San Marcos to Fredericksburg to Waco, and to Brenham, and includes the Austin–Round Rock, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, and Waco metropolitan areas...
. 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 175 in 2000.
Geography
Cherokee is located at 30°58′57"N 98°42′27"W (30.9823928, -98.7075397). It is situated at the junction of State Highway 16 and FM 501 in southern San Saba County, approximately 15 miles south of San SabaSan Saba, Texas
San Saba is a town located in Central Texas. It was settled in 1854 and named for its location on the San Saba River. The population was at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of San Saba County...
and 18 miles north of Llano
Llano, Texas
-History:Llano County was established in compliance with a February 1, 1856, state legislative act. The Llano River location was chosen in an election held on June 14, 1856, under a live oak on the south bank of the river, near the present site of Roy Inks Bridge in Llano...
.
History
Named for nearby Cherokee Creek, the community was established in the early 1850s, when P.P. "Pop" Woodard settled at a site five miles west of the present location. A post office opened in 1858 and changed its location several times before ending up in James Samuel Hart's store in July 1879. The permanent town site was laid out by David Seth Hanna in 1878. The community had an estimated population of 500 by the mid-1890s and supported several businesses. Cherokee became a county center of higher education when Francis Marion Behrns established the Cherokee Academy in 1894. Two years later, the name was changed to West Texas Normal and Business College. A building that originally belonged to the college was purchased from Behrns on April 4, 1911 to house Cherokee Junior College. In 1921, it was sold to the county school district to serve as a high school. The community had population was approximately 250 during the 1920s. Cherokee High School's main building was destroyed in a 1945 fire. It was rebuilt using the original facade. With no rail connection, Cherokee remained small and the number of residents held steady at around 250 throughout most of the twentieth century. That figure had fallen to 175 by 1990 and remained at that level in 2000.Today, the community has a post office (zip code: 76832), a general store, and a volunteer fire department. Ranching and hunting are the primary business activities in the area. During the fall, seasonal hunting brings in additional revenue that supports fuel stations, a hardware store, and a feed store as well as taxidermy and restaurant operations. The Cherokee Home for Children, a basic-care residential children's facility is located just north of the community.
Education
Public education in the community of Cherokee is provided by the Cherokee Independent School DistrictCherokee Independent School District
Cherokee Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Cherokee, Texas . The district is located in southern San Saba County....
. The district has one campus, Cherokee School, that serves students in grades kindergarten through twelve.