Winona in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Starrville Community
Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, January 18, 2016
1. Starrville Community Marker
Inscription.
Starrville Community. . In 1852 the Rev. Joshua Starr, a Methodist minister from Alabama, bought 640 acres of land here on the Dallas-Shreveport Road. Platting Starrville, one of the earliest towns in Smith County, he sold lots with deed covenants against gambling and liquor. In 1853 he helped organize Starr Lodge No. 118, A.F.&A.M.; Methodists and Masons shared a 2-story building which the church bought from Starr in 1854. The post office was moved from nearby Gum Spring to Starrville in 1857. The town thrived with stores and overnight lodgings for freighters. It had grist mills, sawmills, foundries, and a wagon factory; music teachers, dentists, physicians, photographers. Its churches and schools were highly influential. The Methodists supported a female high school; the Baptists founded Ann Judson Female School. A Union academy, male high school, and female college also existed before the Civil War (1861-65)., Bypassing of Starrville by the Tyler Tap Railroad in the 1870s brought population losses. In 1907 the post office and the Masonic Lodge were removed to Winona. The schools of Starrville and Baker Springs were consolidated in 1924, and later were merged with the Winona public school system.
In 1852 the Rev. Joshua Starr, a Methodist minister from Alabama, bought 640 acres of land here on the Dallas-Shreveport Road. Platting Starrville, one of the earliest towns in Smith County, he sold lots with deed covenants against gambling and liquor. In 1853 he helped organize Starr Lodge No. 118, A.F.&A.M.; Methodists and Masons shared a 2-story building which the church bought from Starr in 1854. The post office was moved from nearby Gum Spring to Starrville in 1857. The town thrived with stores and overnight lodgings for freighters. It had grist mills, sawmills, foundries, and a wagon factory; music teachers, dentists, physicians, photographers. Its churches and schools were highly influential. The Methodists supported a female high school; the Baptists founded Ann Judson Female School. A Union academy, male high school, and female college also existed before the Civil War (1861-65).
Bypassing of Starrville by the Tyler Tap Railroad in the 1870s brought population losses. In 1907 the post office and the Masonic Lodge were removed to Winona. The schools of Starrville and Baker Springs were consolidated in 1924, and later were merged with the Winona public school system.
Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7760.)
Location. 32° 28.18′ N, 95° 6.947′ W. Marker is in Winona, Texas, in Smith County. Marker is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 16E and Farm to Market Road 757, on the right when traveling east on Road 16E. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winona TX 75792, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding Starrville Community. The Community is on the original route of the Dallas-Shreveport road, that dates back to 1842. It was also a crossroads of the Walter's Bluff and Omen road, with Walter's Bluff being a ferry and crossing on the Sabine River, about three miles north of Starrville.
Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, January 18, 2016
2. Starrville Community Marker and town well
The well reportedly dates back to the establishment of the community, and is located on what was the platted town square.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2016, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 521 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2016, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.