Ben Wheeler | |
---|---|
Motto: Ben Wheeler Matters! | |
Coordinates: 32°26′46″N95°42′14″W / 32.44611°N 95.70389°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Van Zandt |
Elevation | 531 ft (162 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP codes | 75754 |
Area code(s) | 430, 903 |
FIPS code | 48-07708 |
Ben Wheeler is an unincorporated community in Van Zandt County, Texas, United States. It lies twelve miles southeast of Canton, and has an estimated population of 400.
The area around Ben Wheeler was first settled in the 1840s by Kentucky farmer Benjamin F. Wheeler. Originally known as Clough, after prominent local farmer George W. Clough, the community was renamed Ben Wheeler in 1878 after the town's post office was relocated to the present townsite. The community was beset by many hardships in its early years, including an 1893 fire which destroyed most of the town's businesses. By 1896 the population reached 500, but disaster struck again by way of a smallpox epidemic that reduced the number of residents to 238 by 1904. Somewhat insulated from the effects of the Great Depression by the East Texas Oil Boom, Ben Wheeler had 18 businesses and a population of 375 in 1943. As the oil boom subsided and area cotton production fell, however, Ben Wheeler began a decline which led to the closing of all but nine area businesses by 1972, and the consolidation of its schools with those in nearby Van. By 1988, however, buoyed by the growth of nearby Tyler and Canton, the number of operating businesses in Ben Wheeler had risen to twenty-two and in 2000 the community was home to an estimated 400 residents.
On Wednesday, April 27, 2011, a moderate tornado with sustained winds of 90-100 mph struck the communities of Ben Wheeler and Edom, Texas. Three structures were destroyed and upwards of another one hundred structures damaged. [1]
Ben Wheeler is served by the Van Independent School District.
Brooks and Rese Gremmels started the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation. It is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, designed to restore old buildings and shops in downtown Ben Wheeler.
Every year, on the fourth weekend in October, the community celebrates their feral hog population with festivities held downtown. Events include a parade and hog queen contest, as well as many other activities and food provided by local businesses.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ben Wheeler has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. [2]
Clifton is the largest city in Bosque County, in Central Texas in the United States. The city's population was 3,442 at the 2010 census.
Luling is a city in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties, Texas, United States, along the San Marcos River. The population as of the 2020 census was 5,599.
White Deer is a town in Carson County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,000 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Amarillo metropolitan statistical area.
Forney is a city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States, and has been named by the Texas Legislature as the "Antique Capital of Texas". It is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Its population was 14,661 at the 2010 census, up from 5,588 at the 2000 census; in 2020, its population was 23,455.
Frost is a city in Navarro County, Texas, United States. The population was 643 at the 2010 census.
Henderson is a city and the county seat of Rusk County, Texas, in Northeast Texas. Its population was 13,271 at the 2020 census. Henderson is named for James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas.
Woodson is a town in Throckmorton County, Texas, United States. As of 2014, the population was estimated to be 258.
Canton is a city in and the county seat of Van Zandt County in East Texas, United States. It is located about 40 miles west of Tyler. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 4,229.
Van is a city located in southeastern Van Zandt County, Texas, United States, approximately 26 miles northwest of Tyler. Its population was 2,632 at the 2010 census. The town draws its name from an early settler and school teacher, Henry Vance.
Montague is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Montague County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat of Montague County and had an estimated population of 400 in 2000, according to the Handbook of Texas. Its population was 304 as of the 2010 census.
Scurry is a town in Kaufman County, Texas, United States. It was incorporated in 2003. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 681.
Orangefield is an unincorporated community located in Orange County, Texas, in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan area, about twelve miles east of Beaumont in Orange County, Texas, United States.. In 1913, the town began to develop around the oilfield just west of Orange, and its name was derived from being called the "Orange Oil Field" which was later shorted to "Orangefield". After a major producing well was discovered in August 1913, a post office was established for Orangefield in 1922.
Cherokee is an unincorporated community in San Saba County in western Central Texas. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 175 in 2000.
Malta is an unincorporated community in Bowie County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 297 in 1990. It is part of the Texarkana metropolitan area.
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.
Forestburg is an unincorporated community in Montague County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 50 in 2000.
Medina is an unincorporated community in Bandera County, Texas, United States. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Medina is famous for its apples. The community's population was estimated to be 515 in 2000.
DeBerry is an unincorporated community in Panola County, Texas, United States. The community has an estimated population of 3,305.
Lane City is an unincorporated community in Wharton County, Texas, United States. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had an estimated population of 111 in 2000. It is located within the Greater Houston metro area.
Pidcoke is an unincorporated community in Coryell County, in the U.S. state of Texas. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 30 in 2000. It is located within the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood metropolitan area.