News Release: 5/6/2019

POTTSBORO, Tex. (KXII) - Tucked away in Grayson County lies a little-known discarded town.

Once a destination for its namesake family, now is home to mostly empty storefronts--but not for long.

News 12 shares Fink's fate now that developers plan to breathe new life into it.

If you blink, you might miss Fink. It's situated at Highway 289 and FM 406 in Pottsboro.

Developers have plans to bring Fink back to its former glory.

"My grandparents came over from Germany."

Doris Finke Kennon has fond memories of growing up on a farm in Grayson County after her grandparent Fred Finke came to the United States.

"All the Finkes had their dairies and they all made butter," Kennon said.

In the late 1800s, Kennon said the Finkes opened a post office and tried to call their new town Georgetown, but that name was already taken in Texas.

"So the people in Austin picked the name Finke, but dropped the E," Kennon said

So in 1897, Fink, Texas was forged.

Pottsboro Mayor Frank Budra remembers taking photos in front of the sign while in the Air Force in 1958.
 

The population was three.

"It was a rite of passage to get your picture taken by a sign at Fink," Budra said. "It was not a complimentary term, and we meant nothing against the family, but it was an unusual name."
 
According to the Texas State Historical Association, Texas legislature named every fourth Friday in June "Fink Day," when people with that same name would fellowship from over the country.

"They would have reunions and all the Finks would come," Budra said.

The historical association said Fink never had more than 50 residents.

A motel, deli and convenience store all opened up in Fink but everything closed. 

Now, the land is annexed into the city of Pottsboro.

"There were buildings here that were abandoned. We wanted to reimagine Fink," said Harbor Ship Store co-owner Scarlett Cole.

A comeback could be just around the corner for this forgotten piece of Texas history.

Paul Anselmo said he purchased Fink for $500,000 last year with plans to bring it back to life.

A ship store opened last month, and Anselmo said the hotel and liquor store should be reopen by memorial day. He also foresees a taco shop in Fink's future.

"It's brought so much life back to it, what we've done to it," Cole said. 

Developers like Anselmo want to keep Fink's history alive-- starting with bringing back Fink Day.

"The first annual rebirth of fink will be the Fink festival in June," Anselmo said. 

Fink's fate fills Finkes like Kennon with pride. 

"I am glad to have that heritage, very much so."