Colfax, Texas

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Colfax, Texas
Unincorporated community
Colfax, Texas is located in Texas
Colfax, Texas
Colfax, Texas
Location within the state of Texas
Coordinates: 32°30′37″N 95°43′58″W / 32.51028°N 95.73278°W / 32.51028; -95.73278Coordinates: 32°30′37″N 95°43′58″W / 32.51028°N 95.73278°W / 32.51028; -95.73278
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyVan Zandt
Elevation
568 ft (173 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
GNIS feature ID1378142[1]

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]

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[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Colfax
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kleiner, Diana J. (June 12, 2010). "COLFAX, TX". Texas State Historical Association.
  3. ^ a b c "Colfax Cemetery". Uncovered Texas. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  4. ^ List of Post Offices in the United States. J. C. Rives. 1870. p. 372.
  5. ^ Manning, Wentworth (1919). Some History of Van Zandt County. Vol. I. Homestead Company. p. 213.
  6. ^ Hendry, Ron (2006). Athens' Day in the Sun. Hendry. pp. 149, 401. ISBN 9780977435005.
  7. ^ Osterdahl, Andy (December 15, 2014). "Vaneverie Bascom Cozby (1875-1949)". The Strangest Names In American Political History.
  8. ^ "GENTRY, Brady Preston, (1896 - 1966)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 16, 2016.
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