String Prairie, Texas

String Prairie is an unincorporated community in Bastrop County, Texas, United States. Located on Texas State Highway 304, the town is 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of Rosanky and 45 miles (72 km) southeast of Austin.

History

Settlement of String Prairie began before the Civil War, but it was not until the mid-1880s that residents requested and were granted a post office. The facility opened in 1886 with George Zimmerman as the first postmaster.[1] By 1890, the town had a general store, a cotton gin and a pharmacist. From 1890 to 1914, String Prairie's population rose from 25 to 400. With growth, the community added new businesses, including three blacksmiths' shops, grocery and drug stores, as well as a millinery establishment. In 1924, residents built a one-teacher school using funds acquired through a fifty-cent school tax.[1] Then and now, St. Mary's Catholic Church has been a hub of social life.[2]

Population declined through the remainder of the decade and by 1930, had returned to only 25 individuals. However, following World War II, it increased to 50, in the late 1940s, and then to 75, in the late 1960s. Over the next 40 years, it grew to 125.[3]

String Prairie Today

Today, String Prairie is an attractive spot for people seeking real estate in the vicinity of Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Local farmers and ranchers raise cattle and other livestock, and grow hay and organic foodstuffs.[2]

A second Texas community named String Prairie is located in Lee County.[4]

References
  1. Mitchell Marks, Paula. "String Prairie, TX (Bastrop County)". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  2. String Prairie, Texas, Deb Dahlberg Rowland-Career Realtor in South Central Texas, http://www.debdahlbergrowland.com/2014/07/string-prairie-texas/
  3. "String Prairie, Texas". Texas Escapes. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  4. Long, Christopher. "String Prairie (Lee County)". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 13 August 2018.

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