Voices from Small Places- Arcadia, Tx
Located in Shelby County in deep East Texas, Arcadia was once a thriving town serving the surrounding area (see map below). Founded in 1887, at its peak Arcadia had a population of approximately 400 and a diverse commercial district, including multiple business, mills, schools, and churches.
Following the Second World War many left the area for jobs elsewhere leading to a gradual population decline.
The last surviving business closed its doors in 1985, and in 2014 Arcadia had population of fifty-one, primarily made up of descendants of the original founding families.
