Fentress, Texas
Encyclopedia
Fentress is an unincorporated community
in Caldwell County
, Texas
, United States
. According to the Handbook of Texas
, the community had an estimated population of 291 in 2000. It is part of the Austin
–Round Rock
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
in southwestern Caldwell County, approximately eight miles northwest of Luling
and 15 miles southeast of San Marcos
. The nearest major city is Austin
, located 42 miles to the north
, was founded at the site in 1869. In 1892, the community was renamed Fentress in honor of local doctor and landowner, James Fentress. A post office was established in 1893. By 1896, the population was estimated at 150. The Fentress Waterworks began operating in 1898 and the community had become electrified four years later. Around 1904, a newspaper – the Fentress Indicator, was published. In 1915, the number of residents had grown to 300. That same year, Josh Merritt and his partner C.E. Tolhurst created a resort, which is now called leisure camp. It has swimming and camping facilities. The facilities were sold within two years and expanded under the new leadership. Dancing was permitted, which greatly concerned local churches. The population peaked at around 500 during the late 1920s as the economy benefited from local nearby oilfield activity. The Great Depression
severely impacted Fentress and the community had lost half of its population by 1940. Soon after, the local school was closed and students were sent to nearby Prairie Lea
. Fentress continued to decline during the latter half of the twentieth century. By 1990, there were 85 residents, two businesses, and two churches. The population rose to 291 in 2000.
Although it is unincorporated, Fentress has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78622.
.
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 Caldwell County
Caldwell County, Texas
Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In 2000, the population was 32,194. Its county seat is Lockhart...
, 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...
. 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 291 in 2000. It is part of the Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
–Round Rock
Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the metropolitan area. The 2010 census places the population at 99,887....
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Greater Austin
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos is a five-county metropolitan area in the US state of Texas, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget. The metropolitan area straddles on the eastern edge of the and is situated in Central Texas....
.
Geography
Fentress is located at 29°45′22"N 97°46′35"W (29.7560584, -97.7763901). It is situated at the junction of State Highway 80 and FM 20Farm to Market Road 20
Farm to Market Road 20, or FM 20 is a farm to market road, a state maintained road which serves to connect rural and agricultural areas to market towns, in the U.S. state of Texas. It is located in Bastrop, Caldwell, and Guadalupe counties. The road is 54.2 miles long.-Route description:The road...
in southwestern Caldwell County, approximately eight miles northwest of Luling
Luling, Texas
Luling is a city in Caldwell County, Texas, United States, along the San Marcos River. The population was 5,080 at the 2000 census. There is some debate as to how Luling got its name. Some say it was named for a Chinese railroad worker, others for a judge named Luling, or that it was the maiden...
and 15 miles southeast of San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas
San Marcos is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, and is the seat of Hays County. Located within the metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin and San Antonio....
. The nearest major city is Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, located 42 miles to the north
History
A settlement first called Riverside, for its location along the San Marcos RiverSan Marcos River
The San Marcos River rises from the San Marcos Springs, the location of Aquarena Springs, in San Marcos, Texas. The springs are home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander, Fountain Darter, and Texas Wild Rice...
, was founded at the site in 1869. In 1892, the community was renamed Fentress in honor of local doctor and landowner, James Fentress. A post office was established in 1893. By 1896, the population was estimated at 150. The Fentress Waterworks began operating in 1898 and the community had become electrified four years later. Around 1904, a newspaper – the Fentress Indicator, was published. In 1915, the number of residents had grown to 300. That same year, Josh Merritt and his partner C.E. Tolhurst created a resort, which is now called leisure camp. It has swimming and camping facilities. The facilities were sold within two years and expanded under the new leadership. Dancing was permitted, which greatly concerned local churches. The population peaked at around 500 during the late 1920s as the economy benefited from local nearby oilfield activity. The Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
severely impacted Fentress and the community had lost half of its population by 1940. Soon after, the local school was closed and students were sent to nearby Prairie Lea
Prairie Lea, Texas
Prairie Lea is an unincorporated community in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 255 in 2000. It is part of the Austin–Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. Fentress continued to decline during the latter half of the twentieth century. By 1990, there were 85 residents, two businesses, and two churches. The population rose to 291 in 2000.
Although it is unincorporated, Fentress has a post office, with the ZIP code of 78622.
Education
Public education in the community of Fentress is provided by the Prairie Lea Independent School DistrictPrairie Lea Independent School District
The Prairie Lea Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Prairie Lea, Texas, United States.In addition to Prairie Lea, the district also serves the communities of Fentress and Stairtown as well as rural areas in southwestern Caldwell County and a small...
.