Star, Texas
Encyclopedia
Star is an unincorporated community
in Mills County
in Central Texas
. According to the Handbook of Texas
, the community had an estimated population of 85 in 2000.
and west of Evant
.
. By 1895, the community had a saloon, several grocery stores, and a drug store. A tornado struck Star on May 5, 1904. Two people were killed and five homes were completely destroyed. The community recovered and a permanent church was built in 1905. In 1910, a bank opened. A four room, two-story stone school building was completed in 1913. A hailstorm damaged homes, businesses, and the school on April 22, 1924. Star's bank was robbed in 1928 and the robber got away with about $3,000 and several valuables. Four years later, during the Great Depression
, the bank was sold to the Trent State Bank in Goldthwaite. By 1939, Star had a numerous variety of businesses operating in the community. That same year, three area schools – McGirk, Center City, and Hurst Ranch – consolidated with Star. The population stood at around 170 in the mid-1940s. The rising popularity of the automobile caused a decline in the number of local businesses. By 1980, the community had an estimated population of 85. That figure remained steady through 2000.
Although Star is unincorporated, it does have a post office with the zip code of 76880. The Star Historical Museum is the community's main attraction.
. The district has one campus, Star School, that serves students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Mills County
Mills County, Texas
Mills County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 5,151. Mills County is named for John T. Mills, a justice of the Texas Supreme Court...
in Central Texas
Central Texas
Central Texas , is a region in the U.S. state of Texas. It is roughly bordered by San Marcos to Fredericksburg to Waco, and to Brenham, and includes the Austin–Round Rock, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, and Waco metropolitan areas...
. According to the Handbook of Texas
Handbook of Texas
The Handbook of Texas is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association .-History:...
, the community had an estimated population of 85 in 2000.
Geography
Star is located at 31°28′07"N 98°18′58"W (31.4684944, -98.3161482). It is situated at the junction of U.S. Highway 84 and FM 1047 in east central Mills County, east of GoldthwaiteGoldthwaite, Texas
Goldthwaite is a small city located in Mills County in Central Texas. The population was 1,802 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mills County, which is named for John T. Mills, a justice of the Supreme Court for the Third, Seventh, and Eighth districts of the former Republic of Texas....
and west of Evant
Evant, Texas
Evant is a town in Coryell and Hamilton Counties in Central Texas. The population was 393 at the 2000 census. The Coryell County portion of Evant is part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
.
History
The community was laid out by Alec Street in the mid-1880s and was named for nearby Star Mountain. A post office was established in 1886 with Calvin Skinner as its first postmaster. In 1890, the first public road opened from Star to GoldthwaiteGoldthwaite, Texas
Goldthwaite is a small city located in Mills County in Central Texas. The population was 1,802 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mills County, which is named for John T. Mills, a justice of the Supreme Court for the Third, Seventh, and Eighth districts of the former Republic of Texas....
. By 1895, the community had a saloon, several grocery stores, and a drug store. A tornado struck Star on May 5, 1904. Two people were killed and five homes were completely destroyed. The community recovered and a permanent church was built in 1905. In 1910, a bank opened. A four room, two-story stone school building was completed in 1913. A hailstorm damaged homes, businesses, and the school on April 22, 1924. Star's bank was robbed in 1928 and the robber got away with about $3,000 and several valuables. Four years later, during the Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
, the bank was sold to the Trent State Bank in Goldthwaite. By 1939, Star had a numerous variety of businesses operating in the community. That same year, three area schools – McGirk, Center City, and Hurst Ranch – consolidated with Star. The population stood at around 170 in the mid-1940s. The rising popularity of the automobile caused a decline in the number of local businesses. By 1980, the community had an estimated population of 85. That figure remained steady through 2000.
Although Star is unincorporated, it does have a post office with the zip code of 76880. The Star Historical Museum is the community's main attraction.
Education
Public education in the community of Star is provided by the Star Independent School DistrictStar Independent School District
Star Independent School District is a public school district based in the community of Star, Texas . Located in Mills County, the district extends into portions of Hamilton and Lampasas counties. Star ISD has one school that serves students in grades kindergarten through twelve.In 2009, the...
. The district has one campus, Star School, that serves students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve.