  Sherman Democrat September 19, 1948 Southmayd Founded on Site of Early Day 5,000 Acre Land Grant Southmayd - For service rendered during the Texas war for independence, 5,000 acres of prairie land were given by the state in 1853 to D.S.Southmayd. In the heart of this survey and in honor of this soldier, the town of Southmayd was built and named. In December 1879, the Texas and Pacific railroad reached the place where the town now stands. Settlers began moving nearer the railroad, and 2 years later, in 1881, the first store building was erected by Mrs. Peter Bohrer. First Hotel in 1898 Southmayd's first hotel was built in 1898, a small 4-room structure that was remodeled and rebuilt until it grew to a 2-story building. It was destroyed by fire which swept the town in 1928. Four stores, the hotel and several home went up in the flames. John A. Bohrer was named postmaster at Southmayd in 1882. The post office was housed in a general store owned and operated by J.R. McElvoy. Bohrer served 4 years then turned the office over to McElvoy. He and Herbert Poe together served 19 years. In 1904 J.C. Woodruff was named postmaster. He served until his death in 1935. First Churches Mrs. Peter Bohrer donated land for the building of a Baptist Church in 1902. In 1905, land for the Methodist Church was given by Mrs. M.E. Maeyers. The first telephone operator, Mrs. V.B. Marrys, served 13 years after telephones were installed in 1909. A 2-story brick school building was erected in1922. This was supplemented in 1935 with a large gymnasium. A movement of business houses southward was noticed in 1931 when the highway reached one-fourth mile south from the main street of Southmayd. Some of these were 3 filling stations, a cafe, barber shop, blacksmith shop, and electric shop. Other than these, the town also boasts an electrically-equipped cotton gin. Southmayd History Towns Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |