DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Jordans Saline, out in Van Zandt County. Now, some towns are built to last, and some towns are built to get outrun by a railroad. Jordans Saline, friends, is the second kind.
It all starts in 1844, when a man named John Jordan settled here and got right to work. He joined up with a fellow called A.T. McGee, and together they organized a salt company.
Salt. Out here in East Texas. That right there was serious business.
When Van Zandt County formed in 1848, somebody had to be the temporary county seat, and Jordans Saline got the nod. The county seat moved on in 1850, but Jordans Saline didn't flinch. By 1860, this place had a thriving salt industry and other businesses humming right along.
For a stretch of years, things looked pretty good for Jordans Saline. Then came 1873. The Texas and Pacific Railroad extended its line from Marshall to Dallas — and here's the part that stings — it passed one mile north of town.
One mile. Now, a successful salt maker by the name of S.Q. Richardson saw which way the wind was blowing.
He donated land for a townsite right on that railroad, and Grand Saline was laid out. The residents moved. They picked up and went to where the iron rail ran.
And soon enough, Jordans Saline ceased to exist. One mile north. That's all it took.
What the marker says
John Jordan established the community of Jordans Saline when he settled here in 1844 and joined with A.T. McGee in organizing a salt company. When Van Zandt County formed in 1848, Jordans Saline was named temporary county seat. Although the county seat moved in 1850, Jordans Saline continued to grow and by 1860, it had a thriving salt industry and other businesses. In 1873, the Texas & Pacific Railroad extended from Marshall to Dallas, passing one mile north of the town. S.Q. Richardson, a successful salt maker, donated land for a townsite on the railroad, and Grand Saline was laid out. Residents moved, establishing the community of Grand Saline and soon Jordans Saline ceased to exist. (2008)