Fredonia, Gregg County, Texas

Fredonia is a neighborhood in Kilgore, Texas. It is in Gregg County in East Texas. Fredonia became part of Kilgore on December 13, 2011. People still use the name Fredonia for this area.

History
Name origin
The name "Fredonia" comes from the 1826–27 Fredonian Rebellion. This was an early attempt by Texas settlers to become separate from Mexico. The name was later used for this community.

Early settlement
In 1838, a town was planned at a ferry crossing on the Sabine River. By the 1850s, Fredonia had:
 A ferry service (started 1843)
 A bridge (built 1884)
 Warehouses, homes, and a post office
 About 40–50 buildings
 Cotton warehouses and steamboats

Changes after railroads came
When railroads were built in the 1870s–1880s, they went through Kilgore Station instead of Fredonia. This caused:
 The Fredonia post office to close (1859)
 People and businesses to move to Kilgore
 Fredonia to become a smaller community

Joining Kilgore
In 2011, Kilgore added Fredonia to its city. This gave Fredonia residents:
 Access to Kilgore city services
 Better roads and utilities
 Representation in city government
 Participation in Kilgore's growth

Some people who lived there had questions about taxes, but Kilgore worked with them on a gradual plan. Today, Fredonia is a valued part of Kilgore with its own history.

Geography
Fredonia is in northwest Kilgore, near:
 Interstate 20
 Farm Road 2087
 The Sabine River
It has houses and green spaces.

Culture
 A historical marker tells about Fredonia's past
 Kilgore preserves Fredonia's history while providing modern services
 The area shows how East Texas communities grew around transportation routes

Related pages
 Kilgore, Texas  

References

Other websites
 Official website of the City of Kilgore 

Category:2011 establishments in Texas
Category:Gregg County, Texas
Category:Kilgore, Texas
Category:Unincorporated communities in Texas