On August 2, 1909, the first train of the Asherton and Gulf Railway arrived in Asherton. This historic milestone leads to several interconnected themes: architecture, early town planning, and railroad and agricultural history. If you are considering Asherton for a stay, these different historical perspectives help put the town in context. A distinctive house provides an architectural connection; the railroad links the town’s planning with the later shipment of agricultural products.
Bel-Asher: Architecture and National Register Listing
Bel-Asher, listed on the National Register as the “Richardson, Asher and Mary Isabelle, House,” combines Prairie School influences with a structure made of local sandstone and large, deeply overhanging eaves. These features offer three distinct points of reference: the stylistic influence, the building material, and the roof form. The local sandstone is part of the house’s construction; the projecting eaves describe the roof’s exterior form, while Prairie School identifies the architectural influence. Together, they provide a concrete picture of the building’s design rather than reducing its architecture to a single feature. For architecture enthusiasts, the particular interest lies in this combination of design and material. The house’s listing on the National Register adds another historical connection to Asherton to this architectural perspective.
From Town Planning to the Railroad
Asherton’s early development began with Asher Richardson: he planned the town starting in 1902, after acquiring the site from the State of Texas at a special sale. In 1909, Richardson established the Asherton and Gulf Railway Company, a 32-mile branch line to serve the new town in Dimmit County. Asherton is eight miles south of Carrizo Springs. The first train arrived on August 2, 1909; the railway began operating in 1910. These dates mark different steps: the town’s planning, the arrival of the first train, and the start of railway operations. Following the chronology makes the transition from town project to rail service clear.
Railroad and Agriculture
With the start of railway operations, Asherton became a shipping point for local farmers. By 1927, thanks to the surrounding irrigated farms and its railroad connection, the town had become one of the largest shipping points for Bermuda onions in the United States. This links transportation history with a specific agricultural product: the railway and the farms are both part of this historical development. For a sense of the chronology, 1910 and 1927 are distinct reference points—first, the start of operations and the shipping role for local farmers, and later, the significant Bermuda onion trade. This part of the town’s history concerns transportation and trade at the time.
An Earlier Historical Connection
The history of Immaculate Conception Parish in Asherton dates back to 1880. This predates Richardson’s planning of Asherton in 1902 and the railroad milestones of 1909 and 1910. The town’s history, then, cannot be understood solely through the later railway line: the parish’s history offers another, earlier perspective. History enthusiasts can consider these years as distinct milestones without combining them into a single founding date.
Getting Your Bearings and Finding a Place to Stay
Asherton is located on U.S. Highway 83, a specific point of reference for locating the town. For overnight stays, there is also Asherton RV Park, which offers 107 RV sites. If you are traveling by RV, this number is a useful planning detail; it’s best to confirm availability before your trip. This gives you a named accommodation option to plan around while you focus on architecture, railroad, or agricultural history.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Carrizo Springs.
Go to the main travel overview: Dimmit.
