Graydon

The farming community of Graydon flourished along the west fork of Double Bayou at the turn of the century. Benjamin F. Sterling (1831-1917), one of the earliest settlers in the area, brought his family here in 1869. He is credited with starting a school as early as 1877. A one-room schoolhouse was erected in 1893 on land provided by Jacob Carl Johnson. In 1895 Sterling opened a post office in his general store and named it "Graydon" for his grandson. His son Ross Sterling (1874-1949)a native of Graydon, served as governor of Texas, 1931-33. In the late 1890s, real estate developers divided much of this fertile area into small farms to sell to families in the north and east. Rice, vegetables, and other crops were sent by boat down Double Bayou, the community's principal transportation artery, and across the bay to Galveston. Marion Stines (1850-1916) became postmaster in 1912 and moved the post office to his store. The second Graydon schoolhouse, built in 1915 on land given by George Banks was the site of worship services and social events. Graydon's population declined because of reverses in the farm economy, destructive hurricanes, and the rise of motor travel which isolated the community. the post office closed in 1919 and the school in 1935.

Graydon is a historical marker in Anahuac, Chambers County, dedicated in 1977. It is one of 39 historical markers documented in Chambers County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 82 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.6908, -94.6748 near Anahuac. The nearest cataloged historic site is Sterling, Governor Ross Shaw, Birthplace (historical marker), about 1.4 miles away. Others within a short drive include Mount Zion Church Cemetery, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and Godfrey-Jackson Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5071012651. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.