Talk of Wilson County TX Historic Towns

by Barbara J. Wood
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IB RAY

HISTORY OF WILSON COUNTY AS COMPILED BY I. B. RAY (WHO LIVED IN THE WESTERN END OF COUNTY, NOVEMBER. 19, 1963) ......Topography 

A. The community of Fairview and Loire are located in the western end of Wilson County and about five miles apart on Farm Road 236. Our farm is located halfway between the two communities and I have lived here all my life.  My father bought this farm in 1899 (the year I was born) from Doctor Wright, the father of the late Will Wright and grandfather of Tom & Elmo et al.  The price paid for the farm was $6.00 per acre. 
 
B & C. This farm is located on the divide that divides the water into three creeks.  To the north the water flows to the Mariana.  To the southwest into the Lucas and to the southeast into the Borrego.
 
D. The land is rolling and much of it has been in cultivation for a century.  Much of the top soil has been lost through erosion before we began terracing in 1921 and following every known method to prevent such loss.  Top soil varies in depth from 4 to 14 inches and is under laid with a good clay.  it varies from deep sand to heavy dark soil with much of it being red loam.  
 
E. In early days this was open Post Oak country with many beautiful Live Oaks here and there.  To the north of us was the Black Jack and Hickory country and to the south and east less Oaks and more Mesquite.  Most of the timber has been cleared out, however, in recent years.
 
F. One of the early community centers was on this farm and was known as "Rabbit Hill."  There was a church, school, stores, etc.  This was in the 19th century.  A little later there was another community known as the "Maxwell Community" having a gin, school, etc.
 
G. There was evidence of what used to be the wagon road from San Antonio to the coast that crossed our farm.  
 
Transcribed from hand written account by Mr. Ray 
Wilson County Historical Society