Cologne, Texas: A Lone Star State Gem

Cologne, Texas, is a small town in Goliad County, established by two former slaves, Jim Smith and George Washington, as a place where freedmen could settle. The first families began moving into the settlement in 1870, and it became a cattle slaughtering and shipping centre. Cologne was mentioned in John F. Kennedy's June 1963 speech in Cologne, Germany. The town has a population of around 85 people as of 1990.

Cologne, TX was established by two former slaves

Cologne, Texas, was established by two former slaves, Jim (or Joseph) Smith and George Washington, in 1870. Both men were born in Virginia and had become prosperous in the freighting business, hauling goods from the Gulf Coast to Victoria and other towns. They also owned town lots and homes in Victoria.

However, as anti-Black violence increased in Reconstruction-era Texas, Smith and Washington's safety was at risk. Using their knowledge of the local area, they purchased 500 acres of land on Perdido Creek between Victoria and Goliad, south of San Antonio. Smith recorded a transfer of his possessions, including 200 acres, to his wife at the Goliad courthouse in 1877.

Smith and Washington sold portions of their land to other African American families from Victoria, and the new colony became known as "The Colony". The town was established as a place where freedmen could settle, and for years, White settlers were excluded. The founders also ensured that the town's railway depot, built in 1889, was the only integrated depot in Texas at the time.

The Colony later became known as Perdido, and then Centerville, after resident Jim Hall noted that the site was halfway between Goliad and Victoria. The town became a shipping point and a slaughterhouse and hog rendering plant were built. Due to the stench from these businesses, resident William Young facetiously suggested the name "Cologne" when applying for a post office to be opened in 1898. The postal authorities approved the application, and the town of Cologne, Texas, was born.

It was initially called the Colony

The town of Cologne, Texas, was initially called 'the Colony'. It was established by two former slaves, Jim Smith and George Washington, as a place where freedmen could settle. In 1870, the first families began moving into the settlement. Smith and Washington, who operated a freighting and passenger business from Indianola westward, bought 500 acres of land on Perdido Creek. The settlement was later known as the Perdido Community.

The name of the town was changed to Centerville by Jim Hall, who noted that the site was halfway between Goliad and Victoria. The town excluded all White settlers until after the railroad was built. In 1889, the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway established a depot at Centerville, naming the stop Ira Station. The community was known by this name for about ten years.

In 1898, a post office was established under the name of Cologne, as the abattoirs made the community "such a sweet-smelling place". A Methodist church was established in 1880, and a Baptist church was also built, though both were destroyed in the 1930s. The population of Cologne declined over the years, from 35 in 1914 to 25 in 1940, and 35 from 1970 through 1986.

The town excluded all White settlers until after the railroad was built

Cologne, Texas, was established by two former slaves, Jim Smith and George Washington, as a place where freed slaves could settle. In 1870, the first families began moving into the settlement, which was initially called "The Colony" and later the "Perdido Community". The town was then renamed "Centerville" after Jim Hall noted that the site was halfway between Goliad and Victoria.

Until after the railroad was built, the town excluded all White settlers. In 1889, the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway established a depot at Centerville, naming the stop "Ira Station". The community was known as Ira Station for about ten years. Hall exchanged land for the depot for a lifetime job as station agent and the guarantee that the railroad would not abandon the station.

The town became a cattle slaughtering and shipping centre, with a hog rendering plant. The stench of these businesses could be smelled in Goliad or Victoria, depending on the wind direction. When it became time for a post office to be opened, William Young submitted the application for Cologne, as the abattoirs made the community "such a sweet-smelling place". In 1898, the town that had been known as The Colony, Perdido, and Centerville became Cologne, Texas.

In 1889, the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway established a depot

The depot's establishment was the result of an exchange between Jim Hall and the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway. Hall, who had played a pivotal role in establishing Centerville as a place for freedmen to settle, negotiated with the railway company. He offered land for the depot in exchange for a lifetime job as the station agent and a guarantee that the railroad would not abandon the station. This agreement proved beneficial for both parties, as the town subsequently became a bustling centre for cattle slaughtering and shipping.

The depot's construction was a catalyst for growth and transformation in the area. With improved transportation infrastructure, Centerville flourished as a hub for cattle-related industries. It also led to the establishment of a hog rendering plant and a thriving community. The town's name was changed to Cologne in 1898, reflecting the impact of these industries on the local area.

The arrival of the railway also brought about social and cultural changes. With increased connectivity, the town established a post office, churches, and recreational centres. The population grew steadily, reaching about thirty-five residents by 1914. However, the post office was eventually discontinued in 1925, and the population declined in the following decades. Despite these fluctuations, the legacy of the railway's arrival and the depot's establishment continued to shape Cologne's identity and development well into the future.

The establishment of the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway depot in 1889 was, therefore, a pivotal moment in the history of Cologne, Texas. It not only facilitated economic growth and transformation but also left a lasting impact on the social and cultural fabric of the community.

Cologne is located in Goliad County, Texas

Cologne is a small neighbourhood in Goliad County, Texas. It was established by two former slaves, Jim Smith and George Washington, as a place where freedmen could settle. They bought 500 acres of land on Perdido Creek and the first families began moving into the settlement in 1870. The settlement was initially called the Colony and later the Perdido Community. The name was changed to Centerville by Jim Hall as the site was halfway between Goliad and Victoria.

Cologne is located on U.S. Highway 59 near the Victoria county line in eastern Goliad County. Nearby cities include Chipley, Fannin, Raisin, Victoria West, and Quail Creek. The time zone in Cologne is Central Daylight Time, which is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

In 1889, the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway established a depot at Centerville but named the stop Ira Station, and the community was known by this name for about ten years. In 1898, a post office was established under the name of Cologne through the efforts of William Young. The new name was chosen because the abattoirs made the community "such a sweet-smelling place".

Cologne became a centre for cattle slaughtering and shipping, and it also reportedly had a hog rendering plant. A Methodist church was established in 1880, followed by a Baptist church, although both were destroyed in the 1930s. The population of Cologne has fluctuated over the years, with about thirty-five people living there in 1914, twenty-five in 1940, and thirty-five from 1970 through 1986. The post office was discontinued in 1925.

Today, part of the original town is the location of a large power plant, and the railroad station and cattle pens no longer exist. The town was mentioned in John F. Kennedy's June 1963 speech in Cologne, Germany, where he noted greetings from the citizens of Cologne, Texas. In 1990, the population was recorded to be eighty-five.

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