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Waskom, Texas History, Genealogy and Trivia

Waskom is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most gas stations per capita , Most cities average 1 gas station per 1000 people. At one time Waskom had 30 some odd stations with a population of about 1100 people.

Established 1850 and was originally known as Powellton. The name changed to Waskom in 1872 to honor a man who was instrumental in bringing Southern Pacific Railroad through the community.

When Waskom incorporated in 1941, it had a population of 564. In 1946 new gas and distillate producers were discovered in the area, and the Waskom economy was also bolstered by the local Frost Lumber Industries. Located on the extreme eastern boundary of Texas, Waskom has also been the site of numerous filling stations catering to Louisiana residents, whose gas tax was higher. The population increased from 719 in 1952 to 2,182 in 1988. An information office of the Texas Tourist Bureau in Waskom operated daily throughout the year in 1988. In 1990 the population was 1,812. - M. Lewis


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