The History of Eustace, Texas
Eustace is a small Henderson County town between Cedar Creek Lake and Athens with a history typical of the railroad era — and a naming story all its own. Surveyed at the turn of the 20th century and built up around a new rail line, the town went through two names before settling on the one it carries today, honoring a popular Confederate veteran.
Here's how Eustace came to be.
A Town Built by the Railroad
Eustace grew up around 1900, when the Texas and New Orleans Railroad extended its line eastward from Kemp to Athens and W. L. Moseley sold town lots along the tracks.
As so often happened in frontier Texas, the railroad drew the community to it: businessmen from nearby settlements packed up and moved to be closer to the new line, and a town quickly took shape along the tracks. The promise of reliable shipping and trade made the new rail town the place to be in that corner of Henderson County.
Three Names in One Year
The young town went through a remarkable series of names. It was first called Moseley, after W. L. Moseley, who had sold the railroad right-of-way across the Beltram survey and sold the first lots in the new town. It was also known as Jolo, in honor of Joe L. Pickle, the town blacksmith, and a Jolo post office was established in 1900.
But that same year the name changed again — this time for good. The town and its post office were renamed Eustace, after Capt. W. T. Eustace, a popular Confederate Civil War veteran. The town's first business, the Moore and Russell grocery, opened that fall, and J. W. Moore secured the post office in the spring of 1900, serving as the first postmaster for eight years.
Schools and the Modern Town
Establishing a school proved a challenge for the new community — J. W. Moore and others met with considerable difficulty getting a school district located in Eustace — but they succeeded by the fall of 1900, and school was held that winter.
Through the 20th century Eustace settled into life as a small farming and railroad town. The building of Cedar Creek Lake to the west in the 1960s added a recreational dimension to the area, and today Eustace is a quiet community between the lake and Athens, anchored by its schools and its location in the lake-and-woods country of Henderson County.
Timeline
1900
The Texas and New Orleans Railroad extends east from Kemp to Athens; businessmen move to the new rail town.
1900
First called Moseley and then Jolo, the town and post office are renamed Eustace for Confederate veteran Capt. W. T. Eustace.
1900
The first business, Moore and Russell grocery, opens; J. W. Moore becomes the first postmaster.
Notable People
Capt. W. T. Eustace
A popular Confederate Civil War veteran for whom the town was renamed in 1900, after it had briefly been called Moseley and Jolo.
FAQ: History of Eustace
The town was renamed Eustace in 1900 for Capt. W. T. Eustace, a popular Confederate Civil War veteran. Before that, in the same year, it had been called Moseley (after W. L. Moseley, who sold the first lots) and Jolo (after blacksmith Joe L. Pickle).
Before settling on Eustace, the town was first called Moseley, after W. L. Moseley, who sold the railroad right-of-way and the first lots, and then Jolo, in honor of town blacksmith Joe L. Pickle. Both names were used in 1900 before it became Eustace.
The town developed around 1900, when the Texas and New Orleans Railroad extended its line from Kemp to Athens, drawing businessmen to the new rail town. Its first business and post office both date to 1900.
Eustace grew up along the Texas and New Orleans Railroad, which extended east from Kemp to Athens in 1900. As was common in frontier Texas, businessmen from nearby communities moved to be closer to the new rail line, and a town quickly formed along the tracks.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Eustace in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
A Brief History of East Texas
From Caddo settlements to the oil boom and beyond, discover how centuries of history shaped East Texas communities like Tyler, Kilgore, and Henderson.
Read Guide →Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →East Texas Festivals and Annual Events
Season-by-season guide to East Texas festivals and events — Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas Rose Festival, the Yamboree, Wonderland of Lights and more, checked against each host's own site.
Read Guide →East Texas State Parks Guide
Twelve East Texas state parks from TPWD: Tyler, Caddo Lake, Atlanta, Lake Bob Sandlin, Tawakoni, Purtis Creek, Cooper, Martin Dies Jr. and more. Camping, cabins and passes.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
Want Your Business Featured in Eustace?
People are searching for businesses like yours in Eustace. Get listed in our city guide and local directory so they can find you.