Jarrell Mobil
Jarrell, Texas
18 January 2008
1940s era gas station along I-35 South (Exit 275)
Jarrell reached its high-water mark in 1914 with a population of 500. The declining cotton industry
and the Great Depression put Jarrell into an economic decline. The railroad failed in the 30s and
as early as 1933 the population was already down to only 200. Jarrell revived somewhat to an
estimated 350 by 1945. A devastating tornado hit the town in May, 1997, killing 27 people and
destroying many homes. This F5 tornado blew some houses completely off the foundations and
swept away the disentegrated remains. It also scoured asphalt from roads,
killed and dismembered hundreds of cattle, stripped bark from trees and uprooted them,
and bounced vehicles for up to half a mile from their parking places.
1/80, f 4.5, ISO 100, light rain
Uploaded on January 19, 2008