Glidden is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Colorado County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 661.[1] It lies just north of Interstate 10 and 3 miles (5 km) to the west of Columbus.
Glidden, Texas | |
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![]() Glidden Baptist Church in Glidden, Texas | |
Coordinates: 29°42′03″N 96°35′11″W / 29.70083°N 96.58639°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Texas |
County | Colorado |
Area | |
• Total | 1.00 sq mi (2.60 km2) |
• Land | 1.00 sq mi (2.58 km2) |
• Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
Elevation | 232 ft (71 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 661 |
• Density | 665/sq mi (256.6/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 78943 |
Area code | 979 |
FIPS code | 48-29912[1] |
GNIS feature ID | 1336597[2] |
History
editLocated along the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the town site was originally established by the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway in 1885.[3] The post office was opened three years later, and the town served as a major railroad maintenance facility stop between Houston and El Paso. The community flourished during the Spanish–American War and the two world wars. Shortly after, the railroad movement from steam engines to those operating with diesel and electric rendered most of the railroad maintenance shops in Glidden obsolete.[4] This caused the population to decrease to 150 residents by the late 1940s.
Between January 1911 and April 1912, a series of ax murders occurred in Texas and Louisiana, claiming 49 victims. Glidden was one of the numerous towns in which this type of homicide took place. It is believed that all victims died at the hands of an unidentified killer (or killers) during the reign of terror. In Glidden, a woman with her four children and a male guest were all murdered in their sleep in March 1912.[5] There were several individuals suspected in the crimes in the different locations, but charges were dropped against all of them for lack of evidence. The murder cases remain unsolved.
Geography
editGlidden is located in north-central Colorado County and is bordered to the east by the city of Columbus, the county seat. U.S. Route 90 passes through the community, and Interstate 10 passes along the southern edge, with access from Exit 693. Weimar is 12 miles (19 km) to the west.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Glidden CDP has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), or 1.10%, is water.[1]
Demographics
editCensus | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | 661 | — | |
U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1850–1900[7] 1910[8] 1920[9] 1930[10] 1940[11] 1950[12] 1960[13] 1970[14] 1980[15] 1990[16] 2000[17] 2010[18] |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Glidden CDP, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
- ^ "Glidden". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ "TSHA Online – Texas State Historical Association". Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- ^ "Glidden, Texas". Archived from the original on November 28, 2006. Retrieved September 29, 2006.
- ^ Unsolved Serial Killings; Louisiana And Texas
- ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". US Census Bureau.
- ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.