Chandler, Texas

Here's the Handbook of Texas version. Alphonso H. Chandler settled the area in 1859 as Stillwater, a one-store town two miles north of the current site. A post office opened in April 1873 and took Chandler's name in 1880. Around then he donated land to the Texas and St. Louis Railway, and a settlement named for him grew up by the tracks. By 1890 there was a cotton gin, a mill, a school and two churches.

Chandler incorporated in 1910. By 1936 it had 624 residents and about twenty businesses, including a weekly newspaper, a canning factory and a crate factory. By then, fruit farming had replaced cotton as the main source of income. The town elected its first mayor in 1960.

Ralph Webster "Smilin' Ralph" Yarborough was born at Chandler on June 8, 1903. He later served as a U.S. senator and led the liberal wing of the Texas Democratic Party. His restored former home now houses the Chandler Museum & Visitor Center in McCain Park.

The city runs three parks.

McCain Park sits at the western entrance to town on Highway 31. It was built in 2005 with proceeds from an award won by Keep Chandler Beautiful. It has the museum, lighted walking paths, and a gazebo that's a popular spot for weddings.

Winchester Park covers about 50 acres, three-quarters of a mile south of Highway 31 on FM 315. It's home to the Chandler Sports Association baseball and softball leagues, which the city says serve more than 700 kids. The park has five lighted fields, a lighted walking trail, pavilions that residents and non-residents can rent, a horseshoe court, and a two-acre catch-and-release fishing pond. Anglers 17 and older need a Texas fishing license.

River Park sits at the eastern entrance on Highway 31, on the banks of the Neches River. It has a boat ramp, a nature walk and picnic areas, and the city calls it famous for spring white bass fishing.

The Chandler Pow Wow is the town's annual fall festival. According to the city, it's held at Winchester Park on the second Saturday of October and sponsored by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. It includes a parade, arts and crafts vendors, food, a pet costume contest and a CASI chili cookoff. Check with the chamber for this year's exact date.

Schools: the city points residents to Brownsboro ISD. The district runs two campuses in Chandler, Chandler Elementary and Chandler Intermediate.

For bigger shopping, medical care and entertainment, Tyler is about 15 minutes east on Highway 31. Lake Palestine is right at the town's edge. If you want a day trip, the city points to Canton's First Monday Trade Days, which runs Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month.