Ely
Ector vicinity, Fannin County, Texas
Marker Inscription
A veteran of the Civil War, Levi Wells Ely (1829-1904) and his wife Laura (Page) migrated to this area from Georgia in 1882. The settlement that grew up around their farm became known as the Ely community. Settlers were attracted to this cotton-producing area by the fertile soil and nearby rail lines. Ely was the site of a general store, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, barber shop, and churches. A post office, opened in 1895, closed in 1905. A school was located here until 1949 when it was consolidated with the Whitewright District. (1980)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Civil War veteran Levi Wells Ely and his wife Laura came from Georgia in 1882 and farmed land that soon drew other settlers to this fertile, rail-served cotton country. The little community of Ely grew up around their farm, gaining a general store, cotton gin, blacksmith, barber, churches, and a post office. As often happened, the town faded: the post office closed in 1905 and the school consolidated away in 1949.
Why it matters
Ely's brief life captures the boom-and-fade rhythm of countless cotton-belt farm communities that rose and vanished with the railroads and the soil.
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Related people
- · Levi Wells Ely
Themes & tags
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