Eustace
Eustace, Texas, founded in 1900 in Henderson County, originated as a railroad town, initially known as Moseley and later briefly as Jolo before being named after Confederate veteran Capt. W. T. Eustace. Incorporated in 1926, the town evolved from a cotton-based economy to one focused on agriculture, oil, and proximity to Cedar Creek Lake. Settlers moved from surrounding areas like Goshen and Payne Springs to take advantage of the new railroad. W.L. Moseley sold the first town lots. By 1904, the town featured three churches, two general stores, a cotton gin, a blacksmith, a restaurant, and a saloon. The town was incorporated in 1926. Population remained small but grew from 450 in 1940 to over 1,100 by the 2020s. In addition to farming, oil was discovered in the 1970s and 1980s, boosting the economy. The town also benefits from proximity to Cedar Creek Lake (1964) and Purtis Creek State Park (1988).
