Eastern Tarrant County Preserving Old Buildings

Local Historical Societies Fight to Keep Old Structures Alive

Richland Hills Historical Society, Southlake Historical Society, Colleyville Historical Preservation Committee, Bedford’s Historical Foundation and the Arlington Historical Society work to keep older historical buildings from being bulldozed to make way for modern buildings.

In Bedford, three buildings — the former 1940s-era Barr-Simmons Grocery Store and two houses used by local businesses — will be replaced with office buildings off Bedford Road. Owner Buddy Bice has said he plans to demolish them because they are hazardous, and insurance companies have refused to insure them because
of their condition.

In Southlake, the 135-year-old White’s Chapel United Methodist Church plans to demolish a 93-year-old chapel and replace it with classrooms and a new wedding chapel. Church officials have said the original chapel is beyond salvage; it has black mold, a sinking floor and electrical problems.

In Colleyville, the Cavender-Gilbert House, built in 1906, is in the pathway of planned town homes. The house, named after its first two owners, still has its original windows and doors.

View full article at Star-Telegram.com

Don't Mess With a Texas Courthouse

Officials in Crane County Receive a Message from the Texas Historical Commission

Officials in Crane are taking a second look at recent improvements that were made to the county’s courthouse. Since October, a series of renovations have been made to the 58-year-old structure.

The Texas Historical Commission recently informed the county that the changes violated its codes. The county is looking at a $198,000 bill to fix it.

Most prominent among the violations was the addition of a pitched metal roof over the courthouse’s existing flat roof, said Lyman Labry, a regional architect with the commission. “That was a fairly substantial alteration to the appearance of the courthouse,” Labry said. Also at issue were changes with façade tile over the building’s main entry. Labry said existing tile was covered with ceramic tile of a different size and color.

Crane County has been given six months to a year to remove pitch groove from the roof and change the color of the tile, Labry said.

Read full article in the Odessa American, June 3, 2006

Crane County Court House, 1950s photo from Texas Old Photos

Friendship Baptist Church Celebrates 133 Years

Ulysses S. Grant was president of the United States. The country was still recovering from the Civil War. The stock market had just crashed. Railroads were heading West. And, in the small town of Corine, near Jacksonville, Texas a group of Baptists came together and the the Friendship Baptist Church was formed. On Oct. 11, 1873, the church was admitted into the Cherokee County Missionary Baptist Association beginning the first of the Friendship Baptist Church's 133 years.

Friendship Baptist Church was admitted into the Cherokee County Missionary Baptist Association on Oct. 11, 1873, and has served the surrounding area and supported missionaries from Cherokee County to the far reaches of the world. Worship services have been housed in various buildings from a log cabin to the present modern comfortable facilities. Baptisms have been conducted in the Neches River, Carey Lake, creeks, streams, sister churches in Jacksonville and in the church’s own baptistery for many people beginning a life of worship and service to God. Some members have served as long as 50-85 years at this church.

A large number of present and former members attended the Corine School, which was located near the church. Friendship has been the starting place for many marriages during its history. Corine Cemetery documents family names from the early days of the community and upkeep of the cemetery is provided by donations and memorials.

Happy Birthday, Friendship Baptist Church. And, here's to another 133 years.

Read full story in the Daily Progress, Jacksonville, Texas

Hats Off to Kendall County TXGenWeb

Announced June 1, 2006

Kendall County TXGenWeb site received the Mike Basham TXGenWeb County of the Month Award for May 2006.

The Kendall County site features lots of information for the researcher and includes special features such as the 1880-1890 Tax Roll, Probate Records, Stagecoach Stops, Railroad Depots, in a easy to use layout. Kendall County is located in the Central Texas Hill County, north of San Antonio and includes the cities/towns of Boerne, Comfort, Sisterdale, and Kendalia.

Visit the Kendall County TXGenWeb site

Missing Graves in Grand Prairie

Imagine that you've buried a loved one and then go back a month or so later and you can't find the gravesite. Several families in the Grand Prairie are dealing with the loss of a loved one all over again.

Family searches for mother's burial spot

Loved ones who buried Okenetta Piper on April 1 said they were shocked when they couldn't find the spot where she was laid to rest on a recent visit to Southland Memorial Park in Grand Prairie.

Piper's daughter and son-in-law came back on Mother's Day to mark her grave with flowers until the headstone was ready but said they weren't sure where to place them.

"All of the sudden it's like she's not here no more," said Reshard Bradford, son-in-law. "She's out here, but now she's not out here. She's supposed to be in 443, but no one knows what 443 is."

Read full story from WFAA News, May 31, 2006

More complaints of missing graves arise

The Rodriguez family said they buried their father at Southland Memorial Park 11 months ago and captured the day on tape. While they said they thought they knew the exact spot where he was laid to rest, they now said they are unable to find where he was buried.

"We don't know where he's at," said son Chris Rodriguez.

Deborah Whittington said she believes her father ended up in a roadway after he was buried at the cemetery.

"I just wanted to see my dad rest in peace wherever he is," she said.

Two women who buried their sister at the cemetery said they also were unable to find her burial site.

"I don't even come here anymore because it's kind of pointless if you can't find the gravesite," said sister Shelby Record.

Many of the families were shocked to find that there were others in the exact same dilemma.

"We're not alone in this, but something needs to be done" Whittington said.

Read full story from WFAA News, June 1, 2006

Sam Houston: Three Wives and a Mistress Called Texas

Sam Houston's Personal Life Lives up to the Tall Texan

Who was the most intriguing person in Texas history? No one can discount Sam Houston's positions of great power and prestige, but one might argue that even with all of Houston's political success and drama, his personal life is the most intriguing.

After all, Houston didn't have just one wife or two, but three wives.

His first marriage, to a gorgeous blonde half his age, ended quickly and mysteriously. While people from that day to the present have speculated on what happened, it will probably always remain an enigma.

After the disastrous first marriage, Houston escaped the questions by fleeing to Indian country. Here, he took a second wife, Diana Rogers, but she could not hold the Tall Texan, when that most alluring of all mistresses, Texas, began to call his name.

Read full story in the Beaumont Journal, May 31, 2006