The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 65, July 1961 - April, 1962 Page: 351
663 p. : ill., maps (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Population Trends in the Western Cross Timbers
attraction for other heartlanders in varying degrees. The local
economies of traditionally smaller heartland towns were seriously
injured as local consumers adopted the habit of making periodic
trips to the metropolitan centers in search of cheaper prices, wider
shopping selections, and the adventure of making purchases in
big city stores with national and international reputations. Weak-
ened by a regional population decrease, surrounded by an agrarian
economy suffering a general decline, and injured by large losses
of local patronage, most small trading towns of the heartland
continued to attract inhabitants although the towns were hurt by
the state's expanding industrialization and the region's increased
mobility.
In addition to more extensive and frequent intraregional move-
ments, an increased volume of both interregional and interstate
traffic also flowed through the province. By 196o the heartland
possessed an abundance of good highways, and most areas were
within easy access of intercontinental airline service. The Sixty-
Ninth Railroad Commission Report of 1960 listed five first-class
railroad companies and one second-class34 company which pro-
vided the region with rail transportation. But increased mobility
was not an unqualified asset from the standpoint of cultural and
economic development. Rather, it was just another link in the
chain of circumstances contributing to the gradual weakening of
the long-established agrarian economy and the rural culture which
had come to identify the Cross Timbers area."" In fact, as mobility
increased and inhabitants moved about seeking higher standards
of living, nonpolitical lines between cultural regions of the state
were rapidly becoming more meaningless and less distinguishable.
34Railroad Statistical Section of the Sixty-Ninth Annual Report of the Railroad
Commission of Texas, 196o (Austin, 1959), Table No. 21.
s5For some of the undesirable social and economic results of the increased use of
machine power, see The Svedberg, "Man and Machine," The Rice Institute Pam-
phlet, XXXIII, x99-2o2.347
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 65, July 1961 - April, 1962, periodical, 1962; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101195/m1/397/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.