Cistern, Texas
Encyclopedia
Cistern is an unincorporated community
in Fayette County
, Texas
, United States
. It was formerly known as Whiteside's Prairie and Cockrill's Hill.
. In the 1980s Cistern had 75 residents and three businesses. In 1990 and 2000 the community had 75 residents.
, Czech American
, and German-American residents. The community was focused on Catholic and Lutheran churches, the Harmony Club, fraternal organizations, and the local school.
. During points in its history Cistern had its own school. In 1950 Cistern had a consolidated high school with two teachers.
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 Fayette County
Fayette County, Texas
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 21,804. Its county seat is La Grange. Fayette is named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French nobleman who became an American Revolutionary War hero...
, 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...
. It was formerly known as Whiteside's Prairie and Cockrill's Hill.
History
Cistern was settled in 1852 on a hill above prairie. Residents had to build cisterns to get water as the water wells had high mineral concentrations. The post office was open in 1858, by then the community was known as Cistern. In 1900 Cistern had 150 residents and a general merchandise store, a drugstore and saloon, a blacksmith shop with a gin, and a doctor. In 1930 the post office closed. In 1950 Cistern had 150 people, two stores, two garages. In the 1950s and 1960s cotton was no longer a popular crop as oil wells were discovered. Landowners began to ranch and produce chickens. Abandoned oilfields reverted into pasture. In that time period Cistern residents received mail from FlatoniaFlatonia, Texas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 504 households, and 347 families residing in the town. The population density was 850.8 people per square mile . There were 568 housing units at an average density of 350.9 per square mile...
. In the 1980s Cistern had 75 residents and three businesses. In 1990 and 2000 the community had 75 residents.
Culture
Cistern had Anglo-AmericanEnglish American
English Americans are citizens or residents of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in England....
, Czech American
Czech American
Czech Americans are citizens of the United States who were born in, or who descended from, the territory of the historic Czech lands, , or succession states, now known as the Czech Republic...
, and German-American residents. The community was focused on Catholic and Lutheran churches, the Harmony Club, fraternal organizations, and the local school.
Education
Cistern is within the Flatonia Independent School DistrictFlatonia Independent School District
Flatonia Independent School District is a public school district based in Flatonia, Texas .The district has two campuses - Flatonia Secondary and Flatonia Elementary ....
. During points in its history Cistern had its own school. In 1950 Cistern had a consolidated high school with two teachers.