| |
Approaching
Kellyville
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, February 2010 |
History
in a Pecan ShellSite
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. |
 |
Kelly
Plow Works in Longview
1908 postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/ |
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. |
Kellyville
Centennial Marker
Photo courtesy Gerald
Massey, February 2010 |
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 | |
|
