Farmers Branch Historical Park

Leeds Clark has participated in several historic projects associated with the Farmers Branch Historical Park, both restoration and consulting services. From complete restoration of an historic double crib barn destroyed by fire to semi-annual inspections of the various historic structures, Leeds Clark played a crucial role in the restoration and maintenance of all the structures found throught the historical park.

Below are pictures of the various structures located throughout the park, along with a brief description of the history of each structure according to the historical park brochure.

Gilbert House

The Gilbert House is the oldest rock structure in Northeast Texas that is still on its original foundation. In 1854, Dr. Samuel H. Gilbert brought his wife, Julia, to Farmers Branch. The couple lived with Isaac Webb, also an early settler in the area, until this home was completed in a grove of stately post oak trees. The house consists of two-foot-thick limestone walls, chestnut plank floors, and native Texas furniture. It is architecturally referred to as a dogtrot style home, recognized by a large open hallway through the middle of the house. In 1988, the Gilbert House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and Landmarks.

Church

Early communities were bound together by the formations of churches of all denominations. In 1845, Isaac B. Webb founded the first church in Dallas County, less than two miles from the Historical Park. The church in the Historical Park represents the typical North Texas church during the end of the nineteenth century. It was built during the 1890s in Renner, Texas and was relocated to the Historical Park in 1985. Early churches were commonly referred to as meeting houses because of their multiple uses, such as church services, town meetings, and school and social events. A common practice of these churches was to employ circuit-riding ministers who would ride a circuit of several churches, sometimes not preaching in the same church for weeks at a time. This church has been restored and is used for weddings and meetings. It includes pictorial artifacts of early Texas churches, an 1885 pump organ, the original pulpit, and a rare player grand piano.

Depot

In 1872, to assure that railroads would come to Farmers Branch, Dr. Gilbert and other local settlers sold rights-of-way through their land. Around 1877, the Dallas and Wichita Railroad built this depot. The rail line, which runs from Dallas to Denton, was sold to Jay Gould and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in 1881. The Interurban Railway electrified the line in 1924 and until 1931 ran as many as 50 scheduled trains per day. The Depot was relocated to the Historical Park and restored in 1985. The Depot is used to display artifacts that demonstrate the impact different modes of transportation had on early Texas.

School

Farmers Branch holds claim to the first organized school in Dallas County. The first classes were held in 1846 in the Methodist church. This school was built around 1900 near the intersection of Valley View and Dennis Lane. Around 1915, the "L" shaped building was relocated to Bee Street and used as a home. In 1985, the building was moved to the Historical Park and restoration was completed in 1991.Educational artifacts are used in the structure to interpret a turn-of-the- century, one-room school.

Queen Anne Victorian Cottage

The Queen Anne style of architecture is easily recognized with crossed gables, turrets or cupolas, wrap around porches and porticos. It is identified as a cottage by its smaller size. During the Victorian period, in Texas roughly 1870-1905, the architecture tended to be ornate. The use of multiple textures and patterns was meant to break the monotony of sameness and create a feeling of expanded height and size. This house, built around 1885, was originally located in Gainesville, and was relocated to the Historical Park in 1992 and restoration completed in 1996.

Dodson House

In 1937, William and Maude Dodson built this modest home near Farmers Branch Creek. The home was a frequent location for political discussions that eventually led to the 1946 charter for incorporating the City of Farmers Branch. Mr. Dodson was then elected as the first Mayor. The home is furnished in typical 1930s and 1940s fashion. It is frequently rented for parties, meetings, and receptions. Historical Park Visitor Center and Gift Shop

Log Culture

The first settler in Farmers Branch was Thomas Keenan, who came to the area in 1842. During the 1840s, numerous other settlers arrived and homesteaded 640-acre land grants. The Texan Land and Immigration Company advertised in Europe for settlers to come to Texas. For a while, Farmers Branch was recognized throughout Europe as the most well-known city in Texas. These log structures represent a pioneer homestead of the 1840s, including a log house and two barns that were originally located near Pilot Point, Texas. They were reassembled and restored in the Historical Park in 1990. Visitors to the park may see living history interpreters in this area performing such pioneer tasks as blacksmithing, open hearth cooking, and quilting.

Over the years, Leeds Clark has formed a great relationship with the Historical Park, and we are thankful for the trust the Historical Park has bestowed upon our firm. If you would like more information concerning the work our firm preformed, please feel free to contact us for more information. Below is information on the Historical Park:

Farmers Branch Historical Park

2540 Farmers Branch Lane
Farmers Branch, Texas 75234
972-406-0184 TEL
972-247-3939 FAX

Mailing:
P. O. Box 819010
Farmers Branch, TX 75381-9010

Website: http://www.ci.farmers-branch.tx.us/ParksRec/Historicalpark.html