Dunlay in Medina County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Dunlay
Photographed by James Hulse, October 29, 2024
1. Dunlay Marker
Inscription.
Dunlay. . The town of Dunlay was established to service the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railroad (GH and SA RR Co) that came through Medina County in 1881. Originally named Enterprise, the town's name was changed in 1895 to Dunlay, after railroad conductor Jerry Dunlay. The town's primary purpose was to house railroad section crews who were responsible for a ten-mile stretch of track between Dunlay and Hondo. During its heyday, Dunlay had a cotton gin, general store, lumber yard, a Harvey restaurant, depot, grist mill, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, saloon, boarding house, school, and a Hermann Sons Hall. During the construction of Medina Lake Dam in 1911-1912, a spur from Dunlay was laid to the dam site, and then used by supply trains taking materials to the dam. Mechanization of railroad maintenance allowed the length of track under the supervision of the section foreman to increase, and Dunlay began to close down as the crews were transferred. When the railroad left, they dismantled and took many of the buildings, along with the Medina Lake spur to be used elsewhere. Many of the businesses followed the railroad. The general store continued, as well as, a filling station and post office. Today, Dunlay is still home to many families and new businesses.
The town of Dunlay was established to service the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railroad (GH & SA RR Co) that came through Medina County in 1881. Originally named Enterprise, the town's name was changed in 1895 to Dunlay, after railroad conductor Jerry Dunlay. The town's primary purpose was to house railroad section crews who were responsible for a ten-mile stretch of track between Dunlay and Hondo. During its heyday, Dunlay had a cotton gin, general store, lumber yard, a Harvey restaurant, depot, grist mill, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, saloon, boarding house, school, and a Hermann Sons Hall. During the construction of Medina Lake Dam in 1911-1912, a spur from Dunlay was laid to the dam site, and then used by supply trains taking materials to the dam. Mechanization of railroad maintenance allowed the length of track under the supervision of the section foreman to increase, and Dunlay began to close down as the crews were transferred. When the railroad left, they dismantled and took many of the buildings, along with the Medina Lake spur to be used elsewhere. Many of the businesses followed the railroad. The general store continued, as well as, a filling station and post office. Today, Dunlay is still home to many families and new businesses.
Location. 29° 21.121′ N, 98° 59.483′ W. Marker is in Dunlay, Texas, in Medina County. It is on U.S. 90 near County Road 4621, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located at the corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hondo TX 78861, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
