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WHEELOCK, TEXAS
Robertson County,
Central Texas S
15 miles NE of Bryan
11 miles SE of Franklin
Population: 125 (est. 2000)
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A
good part of Downtown Wheelock
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History in
a Pecan Shell:
Wheelock has a fascinating history for such an out-of-the-way place.
In the 1840s in Texas Wheelock was one of the places to see and
be seen. It had been nominated to be the Capital of Texas,
and it had enough influential people there to make that a reality.
It had also been a consideration to be the home for the University
of Texas. Had that happened, the place would certainly have
a very different appearance today.
Eleazer Louis Ripley Wheelock, was famous for more than just
having a long name. His grandfather had founded Dartmouth College.
When Eleazer came to the area - about 1826, he was immediately impressed
with the beauty of the place - and that hasn't changed. He was a
friend to the County's namesake - Sterling Robertson. Mr.
Wheelock died in Illinois, while paying a visit to the place of
his birth.
Eleazer built a blockhouse for protection from the Indians around
the time of Independence. The blockhouse necessitated a name. He
had wanted it named after Mirabeau Lamar, Vice-President of the
Republic, but others suggested Wheelock. It wasn't named after Eleazer,
however, but Wheelock, Vermont (a town that was named after
his Grandfather). That seemed to satisfy everyone.
Being on the main mail routes and stagecoach lines seemed to promise
great things for Wheelock and it was indeed made county seat in
1850. But three important events reduced its prominence. Firstly,
Owensville (another town you don't hear much about anymore)
became county seat. Then the town suffered economically as a result
of human and economic losses brought about by the Civil War. Thirdly
and more importantly, it was bypassed by the railroad after the
war was over.
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A scene between Wheelock and Hearne
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Wheelock
Today, and FM391
Today, Wheelock
has a well-kept post office complete with healthy rosebushes and the
drive between Wheelock and Hearne
on FM 391 is one of the most scenic and peaceful in
this part of Texas.
A building behind a hedgerow appears to have been the Wheelock Masonic
Lodge.
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Wheelock Cemetery views
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The
cemetery is worthy of a visit and two inscribed stones (by
the side entrance) show that the tidiness of the cemetery is a result
of the efforts of three Wheelock citizens.
Wheelock historical marker |
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A scene in the Wheelock Cemetery
TE photo |
Wheelock,
Texas Forum
Subject: Wheelock
Texas
Dear Texas Escapes, For years, my wife and I passed through Wheelock
on our way to Franklin
and Hwy 79 from Bryan and
Benchly as well. Travelling down 391 towards Hearne
[was] just as you expressed, the scenery and rolling hills on FM 391
can be very beautiful at certain times of the year. We just admired
the drive and wished (dreamed) we could own some land like that someday.
Then one day recently, my wife and I answered an ad for property for
sale. As it turned out, it was at Wheelock just North of the cemetery
about a mile off FM 391. When the owner gave us a tour of the 100+
acres, we fell in love with it for the sizes of the cedars and other
trees. In general the landscape itself, since we do trailriding horseback.
This would offer a place to ride nearby without having to travel too
far. We made an offer on the entire acerage, it was accepted and we
now ride, cookout (over a campfire) and enjoy the peacefulness, the
stars at night and the tranquility as we ride through the cedars,
yaupon and towering oaks, through the creeks and up and down the creek
bank.
It was interesting reading the brief history you gave of Wheelock.
We somehow from somewhere already were aware that Wheelock actually
narrowly escaped being the capital of Texas, something we are thankful
for. We would love to learn more history of Wheelock and some of the
earlier families. One day, we plan to live there and hope that progress
and rural expansion doesn't overtake the serenity of the town and
area before we get there. Thanks for the write up, "John" and Cindy
Allen, August 27, 2006
Anyone wishing to share history or photos of Wheelock, Texas, please
contact
us.
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© John Troesser |
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