Dale, Texas


Dale is an unincorporated community in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. The settlement had a population of 500 in 2000. It is located within the Greater Austin metropolitan area.

History

Dale was named for the valley in which it is located. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad arrived in 1880 and the town's post office was granted that same year. Within five years, Dale had a population of 75. The town had three stores, a gristmill and cotton gin, which shipped cotton into the community. By 1914, Dale had a population of 250 and 15 businesses, but this declined to 200 between 1925 and 1943. The 1936 county highway map showed several homes, two churches, several businesses, and a seasonal industry in the community. Dale reached its population zenith in 1947 with 275 residents, but then decreased to 126 from 1970 to the early 1990s. It had 14 businesses at that time. Its most recent population estimate was 500 in 2000.

Geography

Dale is located along Farm to Market Road 1854, about northeast of Lockhart in north central Caldwell County.

Education

In 1905, Dale had a school with 112 students and two teachers. In the 1936 county highway map, it had two schools. Today the community is served by the Lockhart Independent School District.

Notable people