History

Short History of Avery, TX - Red River County, East Texas

Avery is a small town in Red River County, Texas, with a population of 426 people. It is located about 16 miles southeast of Clarksville, Texas.

The town was founded in the 1870s by the Texas and Pacific Railroad. The railroad named the town after Ed Avery, the first station agent.

Avery was originally a farming community. However, in the early 1900s, the town became known for its tomato production. Avery was one of the largest tomato producing and shipping cities in northeastern Texas. The town even had its own tomato festival, which was held every year in September. The festival featured tomato eating contests, tomato races, and a tomato queen pageant.

The tomato industry declined in the mid-20th century. However, Avery has continued to grow and develop. Today, the town is home to a number of businesses and industries, including a cotton gin, a lumber mill, and a number of small shops and restaurants.

Avery is a close-knit community with a strong sense of history. The town is home to a number of historical buildings, including the Avery Methodist Church, which was built in 1882. Avery is also home to the Avery Cemetery, which is the final resting place of many of the town’s founding fathers.

Avery is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. The town has a small-town feel with a big-city heart. Avery is a safe and friendly community with a lot to offer its residents.

Things Avery Used to Be Known For

In addition to its tomato production, Avery used to be known for a number of other things. These include:

  • Its cotton gin. The Avery Cotton Gin was one of the largest in the region and helped to make Avery a major player in the cotton industry.
  • Its lumber mill. The Avery Lumber Mill provided jobs for many people in the town and helped to build the local economy.
  • Its small shops and restaurants. Avery was once home to a number of small businesses, including grocery stores, hardware stores, and restaurants. These businesses helped to support the local community and provide residents with a variety of goods and services.
  • Its historical buildings. Avery is home to a number of historical buildings, including the Avery Methodist Church and the Avery Cemetery. These buildings help to preserve the town’s history and provide residents with a sense of place.

Avery is a town with a rich history. It is a place where people have come together to build a community and create a better life for themselves and their families. Avery is a town with a bright future and a lot to offer its residents.

Timeline

1870s

City founded

The Town had originally been named Douglass, Texas by officials of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in the 1870's. The T&P was crossing Red River County and there were so few people in the area that nobody objected to the decision. A newspaperman from Clarksville visited the site in 1881 and reported that residents were living in a tent village. Things were about to change. Isaac Bradford opened a store there the following year and in the custom of the day, the store housed the post office. With postal service established, Douglass, Texas became Isaca, Texas. The population, however, was less than 50 residents

1902

City name Changed

The name only lasted until 1902 when it was changed to honor Ed Avery, the T&P station Agent. Avery had a population of 176 by 1900 and cotton was the town's lifeblood. Gins opened and by 1914, Avery had two banks, a weekly paper and a population of 500. At its peak ( in the late 1920's) Avery had nearly 800 citizens which declined to a mere 300 during the onset of the Great Depression. In 1940 it had a population of just under 500, and it has remained between 430 and 500 ever since.

Connect With Us

The Governing Body for the City of Avery wanted to say THANK YOU to all the volunteers who have been working so hard to keep Avery alive.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO !

The Love of Our Community will make us strong enough to progress through even the toughest times.

Please Join US in moving forward by volunteering

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