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History
in a Pecan Shell
Two men known as Phelin and Glynn, dammed the North Concho River
and dug an irrigation ditch opening up the area to (mostly English)
settlers.
A Capt. Wm.
Turner, arrived around 1878, establishing the Whitbarrow Ranch,
and building a stone ranch headquarters. The post office had been
known as Yandell, Argenta, or Stella from 1885 to
1888, and then went by Rethaville, Mayes Store, or Mayesville
from 1888 to 1889 according to the Handbook of Texas. Two men named
S. S. McCrary and J. O. Hanson put an end to confusion when they
decided to rename the community Water Valley in 1889.
The population was 175 by 1914. There was a railroad connection
for freight - but no passenger service.
Children were taught in private residences until a public school
was built. In 1900 the teacher-student ratio was 48-1. In 1933 Water
Valley had its greatest number of businesses – seven. The population
returned to 140 by 1940 and has gradually declined.
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The
old one-room schoolhouse |
"This
is the Walnut Schoolhouse that was once a thriving little schoolhouse
on the banks of Little Walnut Creek in Coke
County. Most of it's residents were citizens of Water Valley.
Walnut opened it's doors in 1911 on the Ainslie Turner ranch."
Photo courtesy Michelle Doss, Water Valley, August 26, 2004 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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