"Coming Home to Whitton Texas"
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"When it comes to Whitton Tx, it just feels like coming home." This is a pretty easy cache in a tiny little community I love.
****WARNING::DO NOT USE THE COORDINATES USED HERE. PLEASE REFER TO THE FIRST TO FIND LOG FOR ACCURATE COORDINATES. ******
This cache is located, and dedicated to, the community of Whitton. Being a descendant of the original Whittons of the community, this place has always had a special place in my heart, and I want to share it with everyone.
The community was named for Elijah Whitton, an early settler. He was born in Alabama in 1825. then came to Texas sometime in 1857. He first lived i Prarieville, TX in Kauffman County until early 1864. After his wife died in 1864 he moved to Van Zandt County (where Whitton is located) with his 6 small children, onto the land he later bought (1870) and built a log home and resided there until his death in 1896. The old home place is still known as "The Whitton Home Place". By 1870 two more famiies had moved in; James and William Payne. (Brothers in law of Elijah Whitton). The Payne families left sometime before 1880; but others began to move in and and build homes and raise families. Some that are known are Oldfield, Peace, Tarver, Mayfield, and Deen. There were also the Ballows, Barletts, Tankersly, and Gay.
Not much is known to relate to of the early years of the community, except the school. The land records of Van Zandt show Elijah Whitton (My great great grandfather) deeding a small plot of land on the SW corer of his property for a school in the year 1886. There was a small log structure on the plot for use as a school. Elijahs son, William Elijah (born January 13, 1864, my Great Grandfather) told of riding around the country-side, on a horse, as a young boy with his father, taking subscriptions for a school. So from this, we believe that there was a school before the 1886 deed by Elijah Whitton.
School was taught in this small building until 1900. Tradition is, that this school was also called Greenwood; the reason is not known, but officially it was Whitton Community School. In 1900, the patrons bought an acre of land (more centrally located), from the heirs of J. A. and M. E. Jordan, (adjoining the SE corner of Elijahs property.) erected a later building to accommodate the pupils. This served their needs until 1918. This property was sold to the Church of Christ, and Baptist Church jointly. Four acres were bought across the road on another corner from Mrs Hattie Oldfield (Widow of Jim Oldfield), and a larger building was built. It is still there today.
School was taught there from 1918 till the fall of 1949; when they consolidated with Canton ISD. The school was called Whitton Common No. 105 until 1925; then had a name change officially to Orio Common No. 105, although few people called it Orio.
The school building stood empty, unused and deteriorating until 1974. Concerned residents and former residents banded together to restore the building. They donated money, time, and their skills and by 1978 had managed to complete their work. Through this labor of love, now stands a beautiful community center, complete with an auditorium, kitchen, meeting room and a Memorial room for photos etc of the ancestors of the residents of the community to honor their memory.
There was a cotton gin built by Martin Tankersly in 1918, until it burred down in 1930. A saw mill was built in its place and operated for several years.
There was a grocery store built across the road from the Comm Center in 1921 by Sam Jordan. It was torn down, and a newer building built in 1939 by Leander Brunson. It was later ran by Charles Whitton (Great Grandson of Elijah Whitton) until his death in 1981. His wife Velma Tankersly Whittonn ran it until it was sold to the Young family. It closed in the late 80s, or very aery 90s.
Across the road you see the Whitton Church of Christ. This was one of the original Churches. Them, and the Missionary Baptist shared the old school building that was there, jointly. In 1950 the brethren of Whitton Church of Christ built a building on an acre of land adjoining where they were sharing the land with the Baptist church. This is where the Whitton Church stands now.
Since then the Whitton Volunteer Fire Dept was established and built the fire station. They were established in the late 80s, and still do great work for the community. The only income to help operations for the dept is thru fund raisers they have every month. They have a SPECTACULAR "4th Of July' celebration every year with some yummy hamburgers, and some SPECTACULAR fire works that bring people from all over to see.
As I stated I am a descendent of Elijah Whitton. I am also a descendent of several other families who have lived in the comm for years. You could say I am related to everyone. LOL
Something interesting happened at the corner of FM 1651, and VZCR 2410 where the center is when my grand father was a little boy. He was trying to catch a peek at a movie they were showing on the outside wall of the community center building. As he watched from high up in a tree, he noticed two men arguing very close to him. Just below where he was hiding. They didn't know he was hiding there. He saw them run across the road and run behind the building. A short moment later he sees one of the two men emerge from the back of the building hurt. He sees the other man holding a knife dripping with blood. He watches, scared to death, as the man with the knife runs, and the others help the injured man into a car and drive off. The injured man later died.
I hope you have a great time visiting Whitton TX. As you can see, this community is rich with history. This place means so much to me, and I hope you can also appreciate how special it really is.
Please comment on your logs your thoughts of this place.
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