Town of Trickham

Trickham's post office dates from 1879. The Handbook of Texas calls the naming story apocryphal: storekeeper Bill Franks supposedly asked for an office called Trick'em because of his habit of selling creek water for whiskey to passing cowboys. The 1860s and 1870s were dangerous here, and residents including Charlie McCain, Dave Upton and Jake Dofflemyer were killed in raids. As the raids waned, Trickham grew. By 1884 it had seventy-five people, several stores, a hotel, two cotton gins, two churches, a blacksmith, steam planing mills and a school, and by 1892 its population had reached 150.

What the plaque says

Oldest town in county; founded about 1855 as a cowboy trading post for ranching activities of cattle baron John Chisum. During 1860-1890, it was a boisterous community at a crossroads of cattle trails. Because of notorious jokes played at local general store, "Trick'em" was suggested for name of post office here. (1969)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Lake Brownwood State Park — 22 mi
  A CCC park on a reservoir that filled in a single flood before its dam was done, with stone cabins, a hilltop dance pavilion and a grand staircase climbed by dancers arriving by boat.

More markers nearby

• Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Williams — steps away
• First Baptist Church of Bangs — 10 mi
• Bangs Public Schools — 11 mi
• John R. Banister — 11 mi