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| | The
1886 Second Empire style Germany-Babb House on Lee Street just west of downtown.
A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.
Photo courtesy Milton Babb, December 2006 | |
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Greenville
by Milton Babb
The
town of Greenville became the county seat when the first Texas legislature created
Hunt County in 1846. Greenville was named for Republic of Texas Congressman Thomas
J. Green, a freedom fighter in the Lone Star's war for independence from Mexico.
With
the arrival of the railroads
in the 1880s, founders soon envisioned Greenville not as a settlement, but as
a city. Cotton flourished in the blackland
prairie, creating an economic engine that soon transformed the town. The "cotton
capital of the world" soon boasted the world's largest inland cotton compress,
a population of several thousand, and six railway lines. First-class hotels, an
electric streetcar line and a thriving business community gave leaders a vision
for the future. Fortunately, much of the Victorian-era architecture remains to
give Greenville an identity quite apart from typical suburbia. |
| | Greenville's
1909 Beaux Art style U.S. Post Office
Photos courtesy Milton Babb, December 2006 | |
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Greenville
TodayToday,
downtown Greenville offers visitors a step back in time. The Greenville Railroad
Museum is housed in the 1895 Katy Depot. Antique emporiums and specialty shops
line Lee Street and Washington Street (the original northern boundary of Mercer's
Colony). The Hunt County Heritage Garden is a delight to the senses and a learning
experience of which plants do well in native Texas soil.
Concerts in
the 1938 Art Deco Municipal Auditorium range from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
to Ray Wylie Hubbard. Elvis played there in 1955.
A self-guided historical
walking tour informs visitors how the Greenville Majors beat the New York
Yankees, why early civic leaders shot a stream of water over the courthouse
and why acts from John Philip Sousa to the Marx Brothers to Houdini came to Greenville
in early days. - Milton Babb, December 1006
Greenville
Hotels - Book Now |
| | | | L
- Detail of the 1902 Beckham Hotel Annex.
R - "The 1930s 1930s Texan
Theater now houses a home decor and custom quilt shop."
- Photos courtesy Milton Babb, December 2006 |
Greenville
Attractions / LandmarksHunt
County CourthouseThe
Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum: 600 I-30 East 903-450-4502 Exhibits and artifacts
from local history, including cotton growing and processing equipment, and Audie
Murphy memorabilia from WWII's most decorated soldier. A bronze statue of Audie
Murphy is the centerpiece of the veterans memorial on the museum grounds.
The Genealogy Room at W. Walworth Harrison Public Library houses an extensive
collection of records for family researchers. In Ja-Lu Park off Stonewall Street.
903-457-2997Victorian
and turn-of-the-century homes in the older residential areaPeace
Garden sculpture garden in Forest Park Cemetery, Bus. Hwy 69 S.Greenville
Hotels - Book Now
Nearby Destinations
Less than 30 miles away are Lake Lavon and Lake Ray Hubbard to the
east, and Lake Tawakoni to the south.
Greenville
Tourist Information Greenville
Chamber of Commerce: 903-455-1510
2713 Stonewall St.
Chamber website:www.greenville-chamber.org/
City website: www.ci.greenville.tx.us
Greenville
Hotels - Book Now |
| | Gargoyle
Morgan and Gotcher Building on Stonewall Street in Greenville.
Photo courtesy Milton Babb, December 2006 | |
|
| | Gargoyle
1925 Stringer Mortuary Building on Stonewall Street
Photo courtesy Milton Babb, December 2006 | |
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| | | The
1903 Carnegie Library in Greenville. Razed in 1953
Photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
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"The
original Tower 64 around 1930. The track straight ahead is looking toward Commerce,
Texas on the St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt). Track to the left is the
Missouri, Kansas and Texas toward Denison.
Structure that can be seen in the distance is the MKT Hunt Yard office in Greenville,
Texas."
- Photo courtesy Katy Railroad Historical Society
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Greenville
StoriesGrin
and Bear It
by Milton Babb
"There's nothing worse than a drunken bear in a department
store..."The
Power We Longed For
In
the years just before and during World War II two unpaved roads led south from
Saltillo. Those of us who
lived on the road that started from the east side of town used kerosene lamps
and wood-burning heaters and cook stoves. Those who lived on the road that ran
from the west side had the benefit of power supplied by an Rural Electric Administration
co-operative in Greenville... |
| | Greenville
street scene
Lee Street looking east
TE old postcard |
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos of their town/subject, please contact
us. |
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