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History
in a Pecan Shell
Originally named
Tidwell Creek (see maps
below), Texas, the early name is said to be from early settler and
land grantee Esram Tidwell. The name change occurred in 1868 with
the granting of a post office. It came from the abundant chalk outcroppings
in the area.
The White Rock Methodist Church was organized in 1880, and services
were held in the local school until a proper church was erected
in 1898. White Rock had a population of 150 In the mid-1880s that
supported three doctors, a store, cotton gin, gristmill and a blacksmith.
The population had increased to 200 by the late 1890s and the town
added a Baptist church in 1901. As railroads expanded in Hunt
County, White Rock was left out and the town experienced "death-by-railroad."
The population declined to a mere 50 in the 1940s The school closed
but the town was not out. The population increased to 73 from the
1970s through the 2000 census.
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Historical Marker
(From Greenville,
take Hwy 34 about 9 miles N to FM 1566, west about 1 mile):
White
Rock Community
Originally named
Tidwell Creek, the settlement of White Rock began as a stop
on the Sherman-Jefferson Trail. According to local tradition, the
first settlers were members of the Jonas Havens family. A post office
was established in 1857. Businesses in the town included stores, saloons,
a blacksmith shop, a mill, and a gin. A school was in operation until
the 1940s. Early traveling preachers served the religious needs of
the community until two churches were organized. A decline in population
occurred as a result of railroad expansion in other parts of the county.
1897 |
Historical Marker
(From Greenville,
take Hwy 34 about 9 miles N to FM 1566, west about 1 mile):
White
Rock Baptist Church
The Rev. A. D.
Manion, along with thirteen charter members, organized a congregation
known as Pleasant View Baptist Church in 1872. A church building was
erected in 1883 and served the congregation until 1901, when it was
dismantled and rebuilt at White Rock on land purchased from P. W.
Titus. After its relocation the name of the church was changed to
White Rock Baptist Church. In 1925 a new sanctuary was built across
the creek from the 1901 site. White Rock Baptist Church has been a
part of Hunt County
history for over one hundred years.
1987 |
Historical Marker
(From Greenville,
take Hwy 34 about 9 miles N to FM 1566, west about 1 mile) :
White
Rock Methodist Church
This congregation
was formally organized on November 25, 1880, by the Rev. J. T. Stanley
and eleven charter members. Services were held in the White Rock Schoolhouse
until a church building was constructed in 1898. The wood frame structure
was destroyed in a 1907 storm and was replaced by a new building.
The congregation was active in missionary activities from the beginning,
and a missionary society was formed in 1924. Membership has remained
steady over the years, and the church continues to serve its community
as it has for the past century.
1897
More Texas
Churches |
1920s
Hunt County map showing
"Tidwell"
(just N of Greenville)
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
1940s
Hunt County map showing
"Tidwell"
(just
N of Greenville)
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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