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Like many Texas towns, Arcola is rich in history and natural resources. Arcola is located on Farm Road 521 and State Highway 6, right at the junction of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and the Missouri Railroads. Richmond is the nearest large city, and is located approximately twenty miles from Arcola.
The land surrounding Arcola was first granted to a man named David Fitzgerald in 1822. Fitzgerald was a member of the historic Old Three Hundred, a group of friends of Stephen Austin. Fitzgerald later sold a large portion of this granted land to Jonathon Dawson Waters during the middle of the 1840’s.
In 1850, Waters purchased the rest of the league that had been granted to Fitzgerald and he was catapulted into being the largest landowner in Texas. What would later become Arcola was a massive plantation that produced cotton and sugar. Waters chose the name of Arcola at this time, but it is not known why he selected the name.
In 1858, the Houston Tap Railroad ran through the plantation, bringing new life and increased prosperity to the region. After Waters’ death, Col. T.W. House, a man from Houston, purchased the plantation. During this time, the townspeople were mostly freed slaves.
A post office was built in 1869 and served local residents sporadically until 1920. In 1878, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad built a junction in the town, and it prospered. This development launched a sugar mill, two steam gristmill cotton gins, a church, a school and two general stores.
The town population began to decline slightly and was reported as being estimated at 50 residents in 1914. However, the people hung on and by 1940, a new church, school and a cemetery went up as well as the population, which grew to 120. In 1986, when the population reached 661, the town of Arcola was incorporated. Currently, there are two churches, a school and many different dwellings located in Arcola.
Many of the residents of Arcola commute to nearby Houston. The size of Arcola and the peacefulness of the area appeal to many commuters who need to work in the city, but have no desire to live there. Houston has many things to offer, especially for families. You’ll be able to visit Astroworld/Waterworld or the Space Center for some fun, or take in a game at the Astrodome, which was once known as the eighth wonder of the world.
There are many stores, restaurants and museums in Houston as well. You won’t be short of any cultural activities with this city being so close to Arcola. There are many theaters, art galleries and artisans just minutes from the town.
Whether you just like the atmosphere of a small town, or you are looking for a quiet place to raise a family, Arcola offers the opportunity to do just that, in a historic piece of Texas’ past that is still surviving today.
If you are interested in an apartment in Houston, feel free to contact us.
