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History in
a Pecan Shell
Dr. Daniel Rowlett
is the city's namesake. Leaving Kentucky, he settled here in 1836
and bought a large tract of land. Although no early population figures
are available, it's safe to say the population was scant until the
arrival of the railroad in 1886. The town was granted a post office
in 1889 and in the early 1890s Rowlett had several basic businesses
and a population of around 200.
By the mid-1890s, Rowlett's population had nearly doubled but by
1914, it had been reduced back to 200 residents. Rowlett was "electrified"
in 1924 and suffered through the Great Depression along with the
rest of the country. By 1952 the population was still less than
300 but the residents decided to incorporate that year. Lake Ray
Hubbard was completed in 1971 and suddenly Rowlett found itself
growing at a dizzying pace. 1973 reported 1600 people which increased
to 2500 two years later. It topped 10,000 by the late 1980s and
the 1990 census counted over 23,000 residents which came extremely
close to doubling for the 2000 census.
"According to a Texas historical marker in front of the city
hall : 'Rowlett was first known as Morris, the name given
to the post office that was established here in 1880. Austin Morris
served as the first postmaster. In 1889, three years after the Greenville
& Dallas Railroad (later the MK&T) was built through town, the post
office's name was changed to Rowlett.'" - Clint
Skinner
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"The
Bankhead Highway was one of the first PAVED transcontinental highways
in the United States....
The road extended from Washington, D.C. to San Diego, California.
Its path crossed approximately 850 miles of Texas ...
Near the town of Rowlett, there is still a small stretch of the original
highway, hidden in the underbrush and trees, away from the city's
development and growth." more |
"One of
two of the original train trestles from the Bankhead
Highway that remain in Rowlett, Texas. This one is near Lake Ray
Hubbard, and that is actually an extension of Main Street that runs
under it.. and into the lake!"
Photo
courtesy Texana Pictures - Frank R. Brown, February 2017
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| 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
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