Benford

Benford was on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas (Katy) Railroad between Corrigan and Stryker in eastern Polk County. In the mid-1880s construction of the Trinity and Sabine Railway through northern Polk County opened the virgin forests of the area to major lumbering interests. The Trinity and Sabine, acquired and extended by the Katy, spawned a large number of sawmills near Corrigan. Among these was the mill at Benford, which was established in 1889 and named for its founders, Bennett and Stanford. A post office was opened in 1905, and Benford eventually became a station on the Katy line. The lumber plant was operated by a variety of firms, including the West Lumber Company, the Burkett and Barnes Lumber Company, the Mardez Lumber Company, the Glynn Lumber Company, the Ragley Lumber Company, and the Lynch Davidson Company. When the timber was gone, the sawmill community faded; the post office closed in 1924.

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Robert Wooster | © 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

Benford is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

No

Place type

Benford is classified as a Town

Associated Names

  • (Silver Hill)

Location

Latitude: 31.00188100
Longitude: -94.76754500

Has Post Office

No

Is Incorporated

No