Telico is a small unincorporated community in Ellis County, Texas, originally founded in the mid-1800s as Trinity City along the Trinity River. Renamed after Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the town once had a cotton gin, post office, and businesses that supported local farming families, though it never grew large after being bypassed by the railroad. Its most notable landmark is the Telico Church, built in 1867, damaged by a tornado in 1960, and restored in the 1980s, now recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark. Telico is also remembered as the birthplace of outlaw Clyde Barrow in 1909. Today, it remains a quiet rural community with a small population and strong ties to its history.
Early History and Founding
The community now known as Telico was first established in the mid-1800s as Trinity City on the west bank of the Trinity River in Ellis County. The area attracted settlers looking for fertile farmland and access to river transportation. Around 1854, the Telico Manufacturing Company was organized there to produce cotton and wool cloth, which made the settlement stand out in the region. At its height, the company operated with more than a hundred employees, and the community included several businesses and a hotel.
By the mid-1850s, the town was renamed Telico, a name believed to come from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, the former home of some settlers. Although ambitious in its early years, the community’s fortunes shifted when the anticipated economic boom along the river did not fully materialize.
Growth and Challenges
In 1894, a post office was opened in Telico, serving area farmers and families until it closed about 1905. During this time, a small settlement took shape with a cotton gin, church, and local stores. Cotton production played a central role in the community’s economy, and Telico’s gin continued to serve farmers well into the 20th century.
However, Telico was bypassed by the railroad, which limited its growth. Nearby towns such as Ennis became regional centers of commerce and transportation, drawing away opportunities that might have sustained larger development in Telico.
Telico Church
One of the most enduring landmarks in Telico is the Telico Church, originally built in 1867 for the Kirkpatrick Presbyterian Church congregation. Designed in a Greek Revival style, the white-frame building became a community gathering place for both worship and local events.
The church was badly damaged by a tornado in 1960, and for years it sat in disrepair. In the 1980s, local residents organized efforts to restore it. By 1986, the building was reopened, and in 1988 it was recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark for its architectural and historical importance. Today, it continues to stand as a symbol of the area’s early settlement and community life.
Clyde Barrow Connection
Telico is also linked to one of the most infamous figures in Texas history. Clyde Chestnut Barrow, later known as part of the outlaw duo Bonnie and Clyde, was born near Telico in 1909. His family farmed in the area, and they were known to attend services at the Telico Church. Although Barrow would eventually gain national notoriety, his birthplace near Telico remains a local point of historical interest.
Telico in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Throughout the 1900s, Telico remained a small rural community. Its population has stayed modest; in 2000, the number of residents was estimated at about 95. While it never grew into a large town, Telico has endured, unlike many rural Texas communities that disappeared after the decline of river trade and the spread of the railroad.
Today, Telico is best described as a quiet residential community with a rural character. The church and cemetery provide a physical link to its past, while nearby Ennis serves as the main hub for commerce and services.
Interesting Facts about Telico
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Founding Name: Originally called Trinity City, the settlement was renamed Telico in the 1850s after Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
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Historic Industry: The Telico Manufacturing Company of the 1850s was an ambitious textile venture producing cotton and wool cloth.
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Telico Church: Built in 1867, restored in the 1980s, and designated a Texas Historic Landmark in 1988.
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Clyde Barrow: The famous outlaw was born near Telico in 1909. His family worshipped at Telico Church before moving closer to Dallas.
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Population: About 95 residents in 2000, keeping the community small but intact.
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