London, Texas
Encyclopedia
London is an unincorporated community
in Kimble County
, Texas
, United States
. According to the Handbook of Texas
, the community had an estimated population of 180 in 2000.
along U.S. Highway 377
in northeastern Kimble County, at the south end of FM 1221
.
The community continued to grow and by 1896, the population had grown to approximately 100. The number of residents reached an estimated 360 in 1930. The Great Depression
caused a brief decline in London, but by 1943, the population had grown to 400. In the years after World War II
, the community again suffered a decline in the number of people and businesses. The low point was reached in the early 1970s, when only around 110 people were living in the community. In the latter years of the twentieth century, the population rose to approximately 180.
The London Town Square was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
in 1971, Marker number 2988.
Although London is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 76854.
.
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 Kimble County
Kimble County, Texas
Kimble County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 4,468. Its county seat is Junction. Kimble is named for George C. Kimble, who died at the Battle of the Alamo.-Geography:...
, 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 180 in 2000.
Geography
London is located at 30°40′37"N 99°34′35"W (30.6768485, -99.5764516). It is situated approximately 18 miles northeast of JunctionJunction, Texas
Junction is a city in and the county seat of Kimble County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,618 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
along U.S. Highway 377
U.S. Route 377
U.S. Route 377 is a north–south United States highway. Originally created as a short spur to connect Denton, Texas with Fort Worth, Texas, it has since been extended to Oklahoma and Mexico for a total length of 478 miles .-Texas:...
in northeastern Kimble County, at the south end of FM 1221
Ranch to Market Road 1221
Ranch to Market Road 1221 is a ranch to market road in eastern Kimble and Menard counties, Texas.-Route description:RM 1221 is approximately in length. Its southern terminus is at a junction with northeast of London. The route travels due north to an intersection with before curving slightly to...
.
History
Len L. Lewis, a horse trader and former Union Army officer, helped establish the community in the late 1870s or early 1880s. After marrying a local widow, Lewis purchased a half-section of land and proceeded with plans to build a town that he hoped would become a trade center for the region. Ed, Tom, and Robert Stevenson opened a store in 1881 and Lewis laid out a town site that included forty lots and a town square – he hoped that the town would eventually serve as the seat of government for a new county. When a post office was established in 1882, the site was named London.The community continued to grow and by 1896, the population had grown to approximately 100. The number of residents reached an estimated 360 in 1930. 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...
caused a brief decline in London, but by 1943, the population had grown to 400. In the years after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the community again suffered a decline in the number of people and businesses. The low point was reached in the early 1970s, when only around 110 people were living in the community. In the latter years of the twentieth century, the population rose to approximately 180.
The London Town Square was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the state of Texas....
in 1971, Marker number 2988.
Although London is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 76854.
Education
Public education in the community of London is provided by the Junction Independent School DistrictJunction Independent School District
Junction Independent School District is a public school district based in Junction, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency....
.