Center Point, Camp County, Texas
{{For|other places called Center Point in Texas|Center Point (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Center Point
|settlement_type = Unincorporated community
|image_skyline =
|imagesize =
|image_caption =
|pushpin_map = Texas#USA
|pushpin_label = Center Point
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Texas
|pushpin_mapsize =
|image_map =
|map_caption = Location within Camp county
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = State
|subdivision_name1 = Texas
|subdivision_type2 = County
|subdivision_name2 = Camp
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|unit_pref = Imperial
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|population_as_of = 2000
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|timezone = Central (CST)
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|elevation_ft = 331
|coordinates = {{coord|32|57|51|N|94|49|49|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type = ZIP code
|postal_code =
|area_code = 903, 430
|area_code_type = Area code
|blank_name = FIPS code
|blank_info = 48{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}
|blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
|blank1_info = 2034805{{GNIS|2034805}}
|website =
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Center Point is an unincorporated community settled in 1865 by freed slaves. It is located in Camp County in the U.S. state of Texas, nine miles southeast of Pittsburg at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 2057 and County Road 4247. In 1979, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark No. 9790 was designated to commemorate the founding of Center Point.{{cite web|title=THC Center Point Community|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5063009790&site_name=Center+Point+Community&class=5000|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|accessdate=12 April 2011}}
Settlement
Center Point was settled by freed slaves in 1865 as one of the Freedman's settlements that resulted from the Emancipation Proclamation.{{cite web|last=Sitton|first=Thad|title=Freedmen's Settlements|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/uef20|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=12 April 2011}} The origin of the settlement's name is said to be from Farm to Market Road 2057 crossing County Road 4247. The 1983 county highway map showed two churches, a cemetery, and a community center. It had a population of 41 in 2000.{{cite web|last=Harper|first=Cecil Jr.|title=Center Point, Camp Co|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrcbs|work=Handbook of Texas Online|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|accessdate=12 April 2011}} The Center Point Baptist Church was established in 1873. The community supported a brick kiln, sawmill, and cotton gin.{{cite web|title=Texas Escapes-Center Point, Camp County|url=http://www.texasescapes.com/EastTexasTowns/Center-Point-Texas.htm|publisher=Texas Escapes – Blueprints For Travel, LLC|accessdate=12 April 2011}}
School
A one-room school established in 1887 served thirty-one black children, during each 100-day term. The school, however, was initially not a very good one. Later school bond improvements brought the educational institution up in 1916 to a four-room building, raising the school quality to one of the best in Camp County by 1936. The first school principals on the 14-acre campus were Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Cash. At its peak, the school accommodated 279 students. Because of the declining community population and enrollment, the school consolidated with Pittsburg Independent School District in 1955. In 1996, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark No. 9791 was designated to commemorate the school.{{cite web|title=THC-Center Point School|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5063009791&site_name=Center+Point+School&class=5000|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|accessdate=12 April 2011}}
Cemetery
The Texas Historical Commission has noted Center Point Cemetery as CP-C010.{{cite web|title=THC-Center Point Cemetery|url=http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=7063001002&site_name=Center+Cemetery&class=7002|publisher=Texas Historical Commission|accessdate=12 April 2011}}
Notable person
- Barbara Smith Conrad: Mezzo-soprano Conrad has performed with opera companies around the world.{{cite web|title=Barbara Smith Conrad Biography|url=http://www.cah.utexas.edu/projects/when_i_rise/barbara_conrad_bio.php|work=The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History|publisher=UT-Austin|accessdate=12 April 2011|archive-date=September 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915092426/http://www.cah.utexas.edu/projects/when_i_rise/barbara_conrad_bio.php|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Camp County, Texas}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Center Point, Camp County, Texas}}
Category:Geography of Camp County, Texas
Category:Ghost towns in East Texas
Category:Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks