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Frost

Frost, Navarro County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Prior to 1887 the community of Cross Roads existed two miles south of this location. The town of Frost was created when a post office was established in March of that year to serve settlements west of Corsicana along the St. Louis, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad. Businesses previously located at Cross Roads moved to the new town. Land for the townsite was donated by R. J. Sanders and the town was named in honor of Samuel R. Frost (1846-1908), Navarro County judge and state legislator. The city of Frost was incorporated on June 7, 1893. Churches of several denominations and schools were organized in the early years of Frost's existence. A Methodist church was established in 1887, and three years later the Frost Baptist Church was organized. The Frost Common School District was created in May 1890. Two banks opened in Frost in the early 1900s and a newspaper, the Frost Enterprise, was published weekly. Many of the town's structures were destroyed or damaged in a May 6, 1930 tornado. Since its beginning Frost has remained an agricultural community, and retains the charm and atmosphere of a rural Texas town.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Frost sprang up in 1887 when a post office was established to serve settlements along the St. Louis, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad, drawing businesses from the older nearby community of Cross Roads. Named for county judge and legislator Samuel R. Frost on land donated by R. J. Sanders, the town incorporated in 1893 and quickly gained churches, schools, banks, and its own weekly newspaper. A 1930 tornado destroyed or damaged many of its buildings.

Why it matters

Frost is a classic railroad town, one of the many Texas communities that were born, named, and shaped by the arrival of the rail line rather than by an older settlement pattern.

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Related people

  • · Samuel R. Frost
  • · R. J. Sanders

Related events

  • · 1930 Frost tornado

Themes & tags

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