Silas

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

Silas is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

Yes

Place type

Silas is classified as a Town

Associated Names

  • (Baines Store)
  • (Battle Ridge)
  • (Bear Bayou)

Location

Latitude: 31.82406220
Longitude: -94.39798100

Has Post Office

No

Is Incorporated

No

Population Count, 2009

75