Fredonia, Gregg County, Texas

Fredonia, Texas
Fredonia
Fredonia
Coordinates: 32°24′14″N 94°47′46″W / 32.40389°N 94.79611°W / 32.40389; -94.79611
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyGregg
CityKilgore
Joined KilgoreDecember 13, 2011[1]
Elevation
364 ft (111 m)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code(s)430 & 903
GNIS feature ID1378325[2]

Fredonia is a neighborhood in Kilgore, Texas. It is in Gregg County in East Texas. Fredonia became part of Kilgore on December 13, 2011.[1] People still use the name Fredonia for this area.

History

Name origin

The name "Fredonia" comes from the 1826–27 Fredonian Rebellion. This was an early attempt by Texas settlers to become independent from Mexico. The name was later used for this community.[3]

Early settlement

In 1838, a town was planned at a ferry crossing on the Sabine River. By the 1850s, Fredonia had:

  • A ferry service (started 1843)
  • A bridge (built 1884)
  • Warehouses, homes, and a post office
  • About 40–50 buildings
  • Cotton warehouses and steamboats[4]

Changes after railroads came

When railroads were built in the 1870s–1880s, they went through Kilgore Station instead of Fredonia. This caused:

  • The Fredonia post office to close (1859)
  • People and businesses to move to Kilgore
  • Fredonia to become a smaller community[5]

Joining Kilgore

In 2011, Kilgore added Fredonia to its city. This gave Fredonia residents:

  • Access to Kilgore city services
  • Better roads and utilities
  • Representation in city government
  • Participation in Kilgore's growth

Some residents had questions about taxes, but Kilgore worked with them on a gradual plan.[6] Today, Fredonia is a valued part of Kilgore with its own history.

Geography

Fredonia is in northwest Kilgore, near:

  • Interstate 20
  • Farm Road 2087
  • The Sabine River

It has houses and green spaces.

Culture

  • A historical marker tells about Fredonia's past
  • Kilgore preserves Fredonia's history while providing modern services
  • The area shows how East Texas communities grew around transportation routes

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Kilgore Announces Annexation of Fredonia". City of Kilgore. December 19, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fredonia, Gregg County, Texas
  3. "Fredonian Rebellion". Handbook of Texas Online / Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  4. "Fredonia, TX (Gregg County)". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  5. "Fredonia, TX (Gregg County)". TSHA. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  6. "Fredonia residents question Kilgore annexation". Longview News-Journal. November 9, 2011. Archived from the original on June 1, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.

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