Battle Ridge

Silas is on Farm Road 415 six miles south of Timpson in western Shelby County. It was founded about 1880. For a time it was called Battle Ridge because of a local quarrel over its name, but eventually the community was named for Silas Baines, the first merchant. At one time Silas was a shipping point for timber on a spur of the Santa Fe Railroad and a center for lignite production. The community received a post office in 1892, and by 1896 it had a sawmill, a gin, a gristmill, two churches, and a population of 500. In 1899 it had two schools, one with ninety White children and another with fifty-four Black children. The post office was closed in 1907, and later the railroad spur was abandoned. By 1946 only a church, a school, and several residences remained. In 1988 the community had a town hall, a church, a cemetery, and widely scattered houses.

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D. R. Taylor | © TSHA

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Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.

Belongs to

Battle Ridge is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

No

Place type

Battle Ridge is classified as a Town

Associated Names

  • (Silas)

Has Post Office

No

Is Incorporated

No