|
Approaching Kellyville
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, February 2010 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Site of the Kelly
Foundry, Furnace, and Plow Company, the town had previously been known
as Four-mile Branch. Zachariah Lockett and John A. Stewart
built a foundry and furnace here in 1848. The enterprise was a much-needed
wagon repair yard and plow manufacturing facility.
The partners were joined by George Kelly in 1852 who first served
as a foreman, overseeing operations. By 1858 Kelly had been made a
full partner and two years later he was the sole owner of the business.
The town was being called Kellyville locally but Kellysville
on records. The business produced ammunition for Confederate forces
during the Civil War. The town grew to accommodate the employees of
the forge.
Kelly bought out his main competitor after the war and expanded operations.
By 1883 the name of the town was officially changed to Kellyville.
The economic impact of the company on the town was complete. It’s
success was shared by the community and in 1880 the company was recognized
as the leader in agricultural implements.
The company suffered a fire and other problems beset the company,
forcing Kelly to move operations to Longview
in 1882. The town didn’t survive the move. Overnight, Kellyville’s
economy switched from thriving to nothing. The townspeople that stayed
went back to farming vegetables and raising dairy cattle. Some employees
followed Kelly to Longview
while others left to find work elsewhere.
In 1908 the Kellyville post office closed its doors. The once proud
town which peaked at nearly 1,000 citizens had only 20 people by the
time the Great Depression hit.
The Texas Centennial Committee erected a marker here to commemorate
the Kelly firm. The economy of the community today is based on tourism
and recreational activities at Caddo
Lake State Park. |
 |
Kelly
Plow Works in Longview
1908 postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
A Visit to
Kellyville
Photographer's
Note:
I was out in east Texas
in the vicinity of Jefferson,
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 photoing some “Towns” for you when I got
a big surprise. The surprise was I found\saw three markers. The big
surprise was it was on a stretch of highway I have traveled many years
in my former employment with the Kansas City Southern Railroad and
I never ever saw them. Yet, on this late evening they just sort of
jumped out at me.
On the “Kellyville” marker. It was quite interesting when I read what
was on it. I had seen the road signs, “Kellyville” for years and always
wonder what the big deal was about this place - and now I know. It
is located on highway TX-49 at the intersection of TX-49 and Kellyville
Rd. - Gerald
Massey, February 2010 |
Kellyville Centennial
Marker
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, February 2010 |
Kellyville Centennial
Marker
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, February 2010 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
