Downing is an unincorporated community located in Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Texas.[1] According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 30 in 2000.

Downing, Texas
Unincorporated community
Downing Show map of Texas Downing Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 32.0240324°N 98.5506037°W / 32.0240324; -98.5506037
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Comanche
Elevation	1,283 ft (391 m)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code	325
GNIS feature ID	1378224[1]

History

The area in what is now known as Downing today was first settled in the early 1880s. A man named Walter Henry Loudermilk wanted the name of the community to be Dawning due to the beautiful sunrises in the community, but an error by the post office in Washington gave it the name Downing instead. The postmaster was a man named William C. Davis, who was hired on November 26, 1888. It then received its mail from the city of Comanche on May 11, 1911. The community's population was 103 in 1940 and subsequently declined. Its population plunged to 20 from 1980 through 1990 and grew to 30 in 2000.[2]

Downing has its own cemetery. The first grave placed is unknown, but it was reported to be Mary Carnes, who died on April 15, 1866. Other people buried include those who died while traveling to other places and some Native Americans as well.[3]

Geography

Downing is located on Texas State Highway 16, 10 mi (16 km) northeast of Comanche and 6 mi (9.7 km) south of De Leon in northern Comanche County.[3]

Education

Public education in the community of Downing is provided by the De Leon Independent School District. Downing once had a school building near the cemetery and its bell hangs there today.[3]

References