History of Carmine, TX
Carmine was founded on December 24, 1883, by Benjamin J. Thigpen, a highly regarded physician. He purchased 46 acres of land for $230 and plotted the townsite as “Sylvan”, but subsequently changed the name to Carmean, after one of the original highly-respected settlers of the area, Newton Carmean. The spelling of the town was changed to Carmine on June 15, 1892, to eliminate confusion for the postal service with the town of Cameron. The railroad opened a small station in the new city of Carmine where farmers could ship their products to market.
By 1900 Carmine had four general stores, four saloons, two blacksmith shops, a new paper named the New Century, several churches, and ten other businesses.
The Carmine State Bank opened in 1907 and the town received an economic boost that has helped the City throughout the years. With the bank opening, other industry followed, boosting Carmine’s population growth to approximately 500 in the early 1900’s.
The main economics of yesteryear were cotton, potatoes, chickens, eggs and cattle. Today, the chief source of Carmine’s economy is antique stores, tourism, ranching and the beautiful and historical countryside surrounding the city.
1
City was founded on December 24, 1883 by Dr. Benjamin Jackson Thigpen, a physician who came to Texas from North Carolina
2
The railroad was first built to and through Carmine in 1871. After Dr. Thigpen sold the railroad (known as the Houston& Texas Central Railroad) a right of way in what is now the center of Carmine, a small rail station that was built in 1883 and Dr. Thigpen became the station agent
3
The very first name given to Carmine was Sylvan but was subsequently changed to Carmean in honor of John Carmean who was one of the oldest settlers to the area
4
The first post office was established on January 14, 1886 with Elizabeth Price as the first post mistress
5
The spelling of the name of the town was changed on June 15, 1892 because of difficulties with the mail service
6
The primary economic base of the city was cotton which was shipped to the coast via rail. The first cotton gin opened in 1889
7
The first general store opened in Carmine in 1886
8
The Carmine Bank opened in 1907
9
In 1910 the city of Carmine had a population of approximately 500
10
The first telephone system was established in 1889
11
The city of Carmine incorporated in 1973
12
The first paved road in and through Carmine was State Highway 20 built in 1925