Coughran
Pleasanton, Atascosa County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Established on land purchased in 1901, the town of Coughran was named for founder and early settler W.A. "Abe" Coughran. He persuaded the San Antonio, Uvalde and Gulf Railroad to build tracks through his property. The town was platted in 1913; by 1914, Coughran boasted a cotton gin, a post office, a school and creamery, a general store, a hotel, a bank, a weekly newspaper, and a railroad station. The town thrived until about 1918. Coughran's fortunes dwindled in the early 1920s but the town recovered and prospered until another decline following World War II. Postal and rail service were discontinued in 1945, and in 1956 the school was closed. (1998)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded on land bought in 1901 and named for settler W.A. "Abe" Coughran, this Atascosa County town owed its life to the railroad Coughran lured through his property. Platted in 1913, it soon boasted a cotton gin, bank, hotel, newspaper, creamery, and depot, thriving until about 1918. Decline set in during the 1920s and again after World War II, and when rail and postal service ended in 1945 and the school closed in 1956, Coughran faded.
Why it matters
Coughran shows how a single railroad line could conjure a bustling town — and how quickly such places withered once the trains stopped coming.
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Related people
- · W. A. "Abe" Coughran
Themes & tags
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