Pecan Gap

Pecan Gap is at the junction of Farm roads 64 and 128, on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in extreme northwestern Delta County. The area, originally part of the Curtis Jernigan survey, was settled as early as 1884, when the Pecan Gap Baptist Church, named for a nearby grove, was organized under the leadership of a Pastor Ridling. The following year John R. and Charlotte Clem arrived from Arkansas; other early settlers included Bill Pickard, a Mr. Holcomb, the Hardy and Norton families, and "Grandmother" Garner. In 1888 the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway extended its tracks through the Clems' property and built the Pecan Gap depot. The town soon developed as a thriving cotton and trade center. George W. Merrill opened a post office, but John Clem, who had started a lumber mill and become the Baptist pastor, soon succeeded him as postmaster. That year he reported 500 residents in the community. Major businesses included the Birthright and Company gin, Carson Lumber Company, a drugstore, two groceries, two general stores, a hotel, a livery, and a saloon. Citizens also had access to the services of two doctors, a barber, two blacksmiths, and a telegraph office. Mrs. M. E. Miller taught music to local children, and Pecan Gap School, which offered both elementary and secondary classes, had been established by W. L. Mayo. The municipal government consisted of W. T. Edwards, justice of the peace, and W. P. Duvall, constable.