Population: 640 (2003)
Weir train depot, built in 1903. Weir, named for pioneer Calvin Weir, served as a stop on the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad between Granger and Georgetown. The depot also included a blacksmith shop and a cotton platform, used for loading cotton onto the rail cars.
CITY OF WEIR HISTORY
Tennessee-native Thomas Calvin Weir (1826–1901) came to Williamson County in 1856. he bought land in this area and became a prosperous farmer. Alabaman James Francis Towns (1850–1937) came in 1870 and settled nearby on the San Gabriel river. He and his brother, Robert w. towns (1848–1938), operated a gin and blacksmith shop, as well as towns mill.
In the late 19th century, the communities of Weir and Townsville (or towns mill) grew around these early settlers. Churches included Baptist and Presbyterian congregations that met at the prairie springs school, as well as an African American church that met in a school near Mankins Crossing. Calvin Weir's daughter, Lucy, served as postmaster at the post office in Townsville, where she also ran a small store.
The communities developed similarly until 1893, when the Georgetown and Granger railroad came through Weir, bypassing Townsville. In 1903, after the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Rail-Road (MKT) bought the line, known as the Katy, most area residents moved into the town of Weir, officially established that same year. The Katy Lake Resort, created by MKT on the river at towns mill dam, attracted tourists to the area. The Townsville post office moved to Weir, and with several new businesses, the town began to thrive.
A flood in 1913 damaged the resort and several local businesses, and after a severe drought, World War I and the great depression, Weir's population faltered but began to prosper again in the mid-20th century. Following voter approval, Weir incorporated as a city in 1987.
"Historical Commission staff (LCH), 8/20/02
27" x 42" Official Texas Historical Marker with post
Williamson County (Job #10802) Location: FM 971, between South Main and CR 120"
Marker Text
Tennessee-native Thomas Calvin Weir (1826-1901) came to Williamson County in 1856. He bought land in this area and became a prosperous farmer.
Alabaman James Francis Towns (1850-1937) came in 1870 and settled nearby on the San Gabriel River. He and his brother, Robert W. Towns (1848-1938), operated a gin and blacksmith shop, as well as Towns' Mill. In the late 19th century, the communities of Weir and Townsville (or Towns' Mill) grew around these early settlers. Churches included Baptist and Presbyterian congregations that met at the Prairie Springs School, as well as an African American church that met in a school near Mankins Crossing. Calvin Weir's daughter, Lucy, served as postmaster at the post office in Townsville, where she also ran a small store. The communities developed similarly until 1893, when the Georgetown and Granger Railroad came through Weir, bypassing Townsville. In 1903, after the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad (MKT) bought the line, known as the Katy, most area residents moved into the town of Weir, officially established that same year. The Katy Lake Resort, created by MKT on the river at Towns' Mill Dam, attracted tourists to the area. The Townsville post office moved to Weir, and with several new businesses, the town began to thrive. A flood in 1913 damaged the resort and several local businesses, and after a severe drought, World War I and the Great Depression, Weir's population faltered but began to prosper again in the mid-20th century. Following voter approval, Weir incorporated as a city in 1987. (2002)
The WCHM extends a special thanks to the Walker family for letting the Commission display these photos from their photo collection. These photos are for viewing only - Photographic policies prohibit reproduction - please contact the WC museum for reproduction rights.
Cemeteries
Weir Community Cemetery John Breneke (1847-1927) came from Fayette County to purchase 365 acres of farmland here in 1875. Deed records show he set aside two acres for a graveyard, perhaps upon the death of his sister-in-law, Susie B. Kemper (1868-1889), who died in childbirth; her grave is the earliest dated burial in the cemetery. Breneke, a Confederate veteran, is one of many soldiers buried here. The estate of Leola Hugg (1898-1975) added one acre to this site in 1978. This burial ground records the heritage of the area formerly known as Towns' Mill, Townsville, Prairie Springs and Buffalo Springs. Historic Texas Cemetery-2002 To be incised on the back: COOP AND LAURA SUE SMITH FAMILY
The Dedication of the New Weir Post Office
Welcome - Post Master - Jim McWhorter
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor Mervin Walker
Introduction of Dignitaries
Speaker: Judge John Doerfler
Read letter from Congressman Carter Dan Gattis, State Representative Dist. 20
Speaker: Tom McDaniel Commissioner Precinct 3
Cutting of Ribbon - Jim McWhorter God Bless America - Everyone
Refreshments - Ladies of the Weir Community Club
HISTORY OF THE POST OFFICE
Lucy A. Weir ran a small store in Townsville where the Post Office was housed. Lucy was the Post Master. In 1903 when the railroad came through, she moved her store and the Post Office to a new location.
In a letter from the Post Office Department, reference was made to Weir as "Late Townsville". The commission of the Post Master was passed to Horace W Weir and upon his suggestion, the town was named Weir in honor of his father, Thomas Calvin Weir, who came to this location in 1856.
| Lucy A. Weir | Townsville |
| Horace W. Weir | 1903 Weir |
| Annie Burnap | 1919-1956 |
| Nora Hausenfluck | 1956-1972 |
| Hattie Marshall Burran | 1972-1999 |
| Martha R. Mulville | 2002 |
| Janet M. Bland | 2002 |
| James D. McWhorter | 2003 |
| Mary D. Burnap | 1919 |
| Sam Burnap | 1919 |
| Emma Pyle | 1926 |
| Constance Lee | 1937 |
| Norma G. Lee | 1952 |
| Mary D. Raum | 1952 |
| Paula Almazan | |
| Fran Richmond | |
| Rosalie Remillard | Current PMR |
| Willie D. Pyle | 1936 |
| Scott Pyle | 1927 |
| Macon Jones | 1923 & 1927 |
| Roy Dowda | 1923 & 1932 |
| Gladys Mobley | 1926 |
| Hartford Mobley | 1927 |
| Cody Walker | 1938 |
| Emil Ischy | 1941 |
| Mary D. Lee | 1943 |