Moline and Star, Texas in Northwest Lampasas County

Yesterday's outing was a beautiful drive in the countryside of northwest Lampasas County. Moline was first settled in 1884. There are 2 stories of where the name came from. One is that it was named after Moline, IL where some of the settlers came from and the other is that it was chosen from a new plow that in site when the local men met to discuss a name. A cotton gin business was opened there in the early 1900s encouraging growth. In 1910 they got a post office. The population had reached 100 by 1940 but the school attendance had dropped and they had to contract out the school, first to Lometa and then to Star. After the war the population began to drop and they lost their post office in 1976. By 2000 they had a population of 12.
Star got it's post office earlier, 1886, and it's population peaked in 1944 at 171. They were down to 85 by 2000.
As you can see from the photos there's a lot of wide open spaces farmed and ranched by the remaining families. We never even came across a road sign for Moline, other than the historical marker.

Yes, some of us stop to read those roadside historical markers. 

Turn right ahead to get to Star. Moline apparently no longer

warrants a sign. 

The Moline school eventually grew to include 5

classrooms, a science lab, library, homemaking room,

shop, lunchroom, and a 4-room teacherage (home

for the teacher)

The farmers of America are hard at work. 

Star is just around the bend. 

Every school needs a barbecue smoker and place to gather to enjoy

the fruits of the work. 

The school was in a 6-man football league. 

Good shade for the school.

The best repurpose of a satellite dish I have ever seen.

Poor Duke. 

Wonder if Duke still answers the phone.

Stay calm and comply and bring cash if you 

want the best price at The Elk Stop. 

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