Altair
Altair is on State Highway 90A in south central Colorado County. The community dates from the late 1880s. A post office was established there in 1888. The town was originally named Stafford's Ranch in honor of a leading local rancher. Because a Stafford, Texas, already had a post office, the name Altair, for the star, was approved by the residents in 1890. That same year Altair obtained service from a branch of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad. Stafford's Ranch has sometimes been mistakenly called Spafford's Ranch. During the 1960s Altair had a population of 200. From 1974 until 1986 its population was estimated at eighty. In 1986 the community supported a few stores and rice-drying facilities. In 1990 and in 2000 the population was thirty.
Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.
Kenneth E. Hendrickson Jr. | © Texas State Historical Association
At a Glance
Belongs to
Altair is part of or belongs to the following places.
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Currently Exists
Yes
Place type
Altair is classified as a Town
Associated Names
- (Stafford's Ranch)
Locations
-
- Latitude
- 29.57135050
- Longitude
- -96.45413550
Has Post Office
Yes
Is Incorporated
No
Altair by the Numbers
Population Counts
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| Pop. | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 2014 | Local Officials |