Second article in a series
Dodd City, Texas -- Dodd City was created as a railroad town according to the contract/deed dated 9-8-1873 referenced in the first article. The Texas & Pacific Railroad would build a depot in Dodd City by December 1873. The telegraph lines were already installed to Licke, one mile east of the present location of Dodd City by May 31, 1873 near the Dodd House/Stage Coach Inn as can be seen in the paper referenced below.
The depot was completed and the T&P RR named it Dodd's. In Nov 1873 the US Postal Service issued the new town a post office with the name Dodd. It was located in the depot and later moved to the west side of main street and was still called Dodd until 1902 when the USPS changed the name to Dodd City. These different names caused much confusion until the depot was closed in the 1950s according to the following May 1, 1874 news clip.
All across the county when railroad towns were created many of the smaller communuties would move buildings into the new town. That was no different at Dodd City in 1873. Businesses, churches, school and many people purchased lots in the new town from the Edmund Dodd family or the T&P Railroad which owned the entire town except for the public roads, alleys etc as noted on the deed.
Dodd's Depot still stands today at 150 years old!
This is the only building that still stands of the early years of Dodd City that we know of as of Mar 2023. We want to THANK Jackie and Judy Lindsey for letting us tour the Depot. More stories to come as we look back on the last 150 years of Dodd City.
The History of Dodd City, Texas by Millard D. Brent is a must read! Available at Fannin County Historial Museum
More info online: fannincountymuseum.org
Fannin GenWeb: txfannin.org
When did your family arrive in Dodd City?
If you would like to share any history, photos, stories, or comments email: DoddCity1873@gmail.com
The Dodd City Collection already has 13 volumes and is growing daily.