Colfax, Texas
Colfax is an unincorporated populated place in Van Zandt County, Texas, United States.[1] It is located at the headspring of the Neches River.[2]
Colfax, Texas | |
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Unincorporated community | |
Colfax, Texas Location within the state of Texas Colfax, Texas Colfax, Texas (the United States) | |
Coordinates: 32°30′37″N 95°43′58″W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Van Zandt |
Elevation | 568 ft (173 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
GNIS feature ID | 1378142[1] |
History
The settlement was originally named "Cold Water", and began as a log house which was used for religious services.[2] An early settler, Elisha Tunnell, erected a church at that location known as "Tunnell's Chapel".[2] Another early settler named Kellam donated 5 acres (2.0 ha) of land, and on part of it a cemetery was established. The first burial, in 1884, was of Elisha Tunnell.[3] The donated land had also been the location of two local churches and three schools; one of the schools located in Tunnell's Chapel in the late 1870s.[2][3] The location was also the site of revivals and summer camp meetings.[3]
The settlement was renamed "Colfax" in honor of United States Vice President Schuyler Colfax.[2] The Colfax post office was located at the settlement in 1870.[4]
Colfax had a Masonic Lodge (number 904) in 1919.[5] During the 1920s, Colfax had a boys basketball team which competed against local teams.[6]
Colfax had a population of around 100 in the 1930s. It had declined to 35 by 2000.[2]
Notable people
- Vaneverie Bascom Cozby, mayor of Grand Saline, Texas for 30 years.[7]
- Brady P. Gentry, United States Representative; born in Colfax in 1896.[8]
References
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Colfax
- Kleiner, Diana J. (June 12, 2010). "COLFAX, TX". Texas State Historical Association.
- "Colfax Cemetery". Uncovered Texas. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
- List of Post Offices in the United States. J. C. Rives. 1870. p. 372.
- Manning, Wentworth (1919). Some History of Van Zandt County. I. Homestead Company. p. 213.
- Hendry, Ron (2006). Athens' Day in the Sun. Hendry. pp. 149, 401.
- Osterdahl, Andy (December 15, 2014). "Vaneverie Bascom Cozby (1875-1949)". The Strangest Names In American Political History.
- "GENTRY, Brady Preston, (1896 - 1966)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 16, 2016.