Texas Historical Marker #17264
Rowden Cotton. #17264
State Hwy 64 and CR 3415, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #16714
Elbert Gray. ON FEB. 5, 1912, 16-YEAR-OLD ELBERT GRAY COMMITTED A MOST HEROIC ACT. TWO-YEAR-OLD CALVIN STEPP HAD FALLEN INTO A WATER WELL SIXTY FEET DEEP AND BARELY ONE FOOT ACROSS. LOWERED BY ROPE, ELBERT DESCENDED FEET FIRST TO CARRY CALVIN TO SAFETY, BUT NEAR THE TOP CALVIN SLIPPED AND FELL AGAIN. ON THE SECOND TRY, ELBERT WENT HEAD FIRST AND SUCCESSFULLY RESCUED CALVIN AFTER FOUR HOURS TRAPPED BELOW THE SURFACE. BOTH YOUTHS HAD ONLY MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS AND LETTERS OF SUPPORT SENT TO THE CARNEGIE HERO FUND COMMISSION RESULTED IN ELBERT BEING AWARDED A CARNEGIE HERO MEDAL IN OCT. 1913. DURING WORLD WAR II, ELBERT LOST ALL FINGERS ON ONE HAND IN A DALLAS WAR DEFENSE PLANT. ELBERT AND CALVIN KEPT IN TOUCH THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. #16714
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #15699
Union Grove Cemetery. Settlers William McBee and Adam Sullivan established the Union Grove community in 1844. McBee built and operated the first corn mill in Van Zandt County, and Union Grove grew to include a Baptist Church and the McBee School. Charles Rufus Peery donted land for a community burial ground in 1880; the earliest intermenet is Peery's mother-in-law, Mary Ann Hindman Henson. The cemetery, sited on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, has many large oak and cedar trees on its grounds. It is the final resting place for dozens of veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The Union Grove Cemetery Assocaition, active since the 1940s, cares for this historic graveyard. #15699
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #14543
Camp Matthew F. Locke, C.S.A.. #14543
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #12571
William A. Wills. Tennessee native William A. Wills (1804-1864) moved to Texas with his wife, Mary Ann "Polly" (Phillips), and their children in 1847 and settled on the Dallas-Shreveport Road in what became Van Zandt County. They hosted many travelers in their home. In 1850, Wills served the county as tax assessor-collector and later held other public offices, including road overseer and Van Zandt County commissioner. As early as 1855, references in commissioners court minutes referred to the area surrounding his property as "Wills Point." When the town was laid out along the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1873, it became known by the same name. Wills is buried in the White Rose Cemetery. (2001) #12571
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #12262
New Hope Cemetery. To encourage settlement of what was later New Hope in Van Zandt County, William James (1804-1875) set aside two acres for a school and church and one acre for a cemetery after 1871. James, a veteran of the Mexican War, is believed to have been the first person buried here. The oldest grave marker belongs to Frances E. Whitfield (1857-1876). Another grave is believed to be that of a woman who died while traveling with her family on the Dallas-Shreveport Road in 1880. Four Confederate soldiers are interred here: D. G. Baker, W. N. Canant, J. T. Ellis, and A. M. Frears, who surrendered with General Robert E. Lee. (1998) #12262
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11449
T. Z. Woodhouse Residence. One of first homes in Wills Point. Built 1872 of materials hauled by ox wagons from ports of Jefferson and Shreveport. Woodhouse (1841-1928), whose English-born ancestors came to Virginia in 1637, served in 6th Texas Cavalry, C. S. A. In 1868 he married Sarah Elizabeth Nash. Owned and operated a mercantile business until age 80. Greek revival home remodeled in 1917 to add rooms. Still owned by descendants. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 #11449
904 Canton Ave, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11448
Wills Point Schools. Wills Point city officials under Mayor Thomas J. McKain established a public school system in 1886. Classes began in a rented building on North Fourth Street with Professor W. I. Cowles as superintendent. In 1891, trustees purchased 6.1 acres, the homesite of pioneer area settler John O'Neal, that became the nucleus of the district's later growth. Over 20 early rural schools have consolidated with Wills Point, an independent school district since 1913. For over a century, the local schools have been a focal point and a source of pride for the community. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 Incise on base: Wills Point School Centennial Committee #11448
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11447
White Rose Cemetery. The town of Wills Point was established in the early 1870s on the Texas and Pacific Railroad. It was named for the log cabin/trading post established at a nearby site on the Dallas-Shreveport Road by early settler William Wills. This cemetery began with the burial of Wills on family land in 1864. Wills' widow, Mary Ann (Phillips), set aside eight acres here in a grid pattern and sold lots for community burials. Although the graveyard was known as the Wills Point Cemetery in 1874, the White Rose Cemetery Association was formed that year to maintain the grounds. In 1886 Mary Wills retained the family burial plot and deeded the remainder of the eight-acre graveyard to the Wills Point Cemetery. The White Rose Cemetery Association fenced the grounds and erected a gate with a connecting archway at the graveyard's west entrance in 1901. In 1909 the association obtained a state charter and officially renamed the graveyard White Rose Cemetery. The cemetery was enlarged over the years and by 1964 covered about 45 acres. Among the cemetery's approximately 31,500 burials are many of the area's pioneer settlers and their descendants and veterans of conflicts ranging from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995 Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845-1995 #11447
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11438
Russell Memorial United Methodist Church. Organized 1875 as Wills Point Methodist Episcopal Church, South, after a retired minister, James A. Scruggs, had led services for some years. The Rev. L. P. Lively became first resident pastor in 1878. The earliest sanctuary, built about 1877 and razed by a tornado in 1890, was soon replaced. In 1924, the congregation erected a third edifice, naming it in honor of a deceased steward, Eric A. Russell, and his son. Russell Memorial Church absorbed the Palmer Grove congregation in 1955 and also in 1971. The present structure was consecrated on July 28, 1974. (1975) #11438
201 S. 4th St., Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11427
McKain Family Home. Built 1874 for Thomas J. and Mattie Cornelia Bagby McKain-- first couple married in Wills Point. McKain had come to Texas in 1870 from Florida; his bride, born in Virginia, was educated at Old Trinity University, Tehuacana. McKain (1849-1922), a merchant and Texas immigration promoter, served as the first (and also later) mayor of Wills Point, and was alderman and school trustee. Lumber for the house came by ox-wagon from Longview. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1968 #11427
307 E. High, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11425
Site of Burial of Neal Martin. (1777-1879) Came to Texas from Kentucky in 1816. Hunted buffalo in Van Zandt County about 1839 and settled here later. Fought in Battle of San Jacinto during Texas War for Independence. Was later a member of Texas Rangers. Fought in Indian campaigns. Served in U.S. Army during Mexican War. (1968) Incising on base: Marker placed by great-granddaughter, Mrs. Edna Martin Pollard. #11425
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11423
Jones Cemetery. This small cemetery traces its beginnings to the 1870s, although it does not appear in county deed records until 1920. Serving several area communities, it provided a burial place for pioneers of Van Zandt County. The earliest marked grave is that of Samuel G. Parks, who died April 4, 1876. Many more early settlers of the area are interred here, including M. M. (Mike) Robinett (1842-1900), a Confederate veteran of the Civil War. The Jones Cemetery stands as the only physical reminder of some early Van Zandt County settlements, including Jones and Board. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #11423
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11410
First National Bank of Wills Point. Shortly after the arrival of the railroad caused an economic boom in the Wills Point area, a private bank was founded by John E. Owens in 1879. It was granted a Federal bank charter in 1895. Following a state and federal bank holiday in 1933, the First National Bank and the First State Bank declared a merger. Operating under the name of First National Bank, their facilities were located at North Fourth Street. For nearly fifty years the First National Bank was the primary financial institution in Wills Point. The bank assisted families in the aftermath of natural disasters, and with other financial needs its officers and staff supported a variety of community and civic organizations, and have served as members of the school board. Bank officers served as elected officials such as county judge, mayor, city treasurer and as council members. The First National Bank moved its operations to new facilities on Commerce Street in 1983. Electronic and technical improvements have been added through the years. The bank continues to meet the needs of the community as it has for more than 100 years. (1996) Incise on base: Dorothy Bateman Barnes, Research Historian #11410
340 W. North Commerce St., Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11407
First Christian Church of Wills Point. Founded in 1882, the congregation first met in the Presbyterian church, and a cotton gin pond north of town was used for baptisms. A church building was erected in 1886, and in 1891 a baptistry was added. The first in town, it was offered for use by other area churches. A parsonage on Pecan Street was bought in the 1920s. A succession of ministers have served here, and this congregation has been instrumental in the training of many student pastors from Texas Christian University. The church has played an active part in many community activities. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #11407
N. 3rd and James St., Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11406
First Baptist Church of Wills Point. The First Baptist Church of Wills Point was founded in 1873, with Dr. J. L. Matthews, a doctor of medicine, serving as the first pastor. In 1876 the 30-member congregation erected a building, which is said to have been destroyed in a tornado the same year. Despite such setbacks, the church continued to grow, expanding its educational programs and erecting new facilities in later years. A charter member of the Van Zandt Association, established in 1905 and reorganized in 1935, the First Baptist Church has produced several missionaries and pastors from its membership. (1983) #11406
125 E. James St., Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11402
Fairview Cemetery and School. R. H. Reeves donated one acre of land in 1875 to the Fairview community for church and school purposes. A one-room log schoolhouse was erected on the site, and part of the land was set aside for a cemetery. The oldest documented burial in the cemetery is that of Susanna Carter in 1876. Most of the graves were dug by family members and friends. In 1945 the last burial occurred at the Fairview Cemetery. After the log school burned down, another wooden school building was constructed on the site. When the student population increased, another room was added, making the schoolhouse an L-shaped structure. Pupils and their teachers either walked to school or rode horses or mules. Many teachers boarded with local residents. In the early 1920s, the two-room school was torn down, and the lumber was used in part to erect a larger three-room school. J. F. Liston donated land to the school in 1924 for a teacherage and playground. The economy of the area was dependent on cotton farming. Cotton production declined in the 1930s-40s, and many families moved away. The school closed in 1945, but was used as a community center for many years until it was destroyed by fire in 1995. (1996) #11402
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11395
Dallas-Shreveport Road. A trail established by Caddoan Native Americans and later used by French traders who traversed this area is known today as the Dallas-Shreveport Road. The trail emerged in the mid-1830s as a main route into North Texas for emigrants and cargo from the river port of Shreveport, Louisiana. Van Zandt County's first courthouse was built along the route at Jordan's Saline in 1848. Used extensively for troop movements during the Civil War the route remained active with emigrants and ox teams into the 1900s. The route has greatly influenced settlement patterns in this area. (1995) #11395
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11392
County Seat War. Due to a surveyor's error, the county seat of Van Zandt County was located on private property in 1850. An election was called 27 years later because of discontent with the site. On May 28, 1877, County Judge Cadwell Walton Raines ordered court records moved to Wills Point from Canton. Many citizens objected, and about 200 armed men from around Canton marched on Wills Point. Governor R. B. Hubbard assigned militia troops to maintain order and fighting was averted. The records were returned in October 1878 and the county seat ultimately remained in Canton. (1997) #11392
?, Wills Point, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11375
Allen Cemetery. This burial ground first served pioneer settlers of the Turner community. The earliest marked grave is that of Hiram White (b.1811), who died in 1867. The site was originally named for the White family members interred here, but became known as Allen Cemetery after William J. Allen formally deeded the property to trustees in 1909. Allen and his wife Elizabeth Jane, both buried here, migrated to this area in 1850. Others interred here include military veterans, European Immigrants, and descendants of pioneer families. (1988) #11375
?, Wills Point, TX, United States