Groesbeck, Texas, Limestone County seat. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

You want history? Groesbeck's got history. Originally the settlement of Springfield (five miles north of town on Hwy 14) was the county seat. It had to be - for years it was the only town in the county. It died shortly after the Houston and Texas Central railroad came through and bypassed the town in favor of Groesbeck. To add insult to injury, Groesbeck was named after a director of the railroad.

Today a cemetery alongside the road to Fort Parker State Park is all that remains of Springfield.

The Parker Family Saga

If you're not familiar with the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, then you haven't been in Texas long. Kidnapped at nine by Comanches at a Fort Parker, she gave birth to the "last of the great Comanche Chiefs" Quanah Parker. Cynthia was reunited with her original people some 24 years later. She and her young daughter died shortly thereafter. Quanah grew up to go wolf hunting with Teddy Roosevelt and Burk Burnett up on the Red River. He built a fine two-story house complete with veranda up in Oklahoma.

Quanah nearly died - not in combat - but by blowing out the gas light in a white-man's hotel. His companion did die, but the unconscious Quanah was revived.

Groesbeck, Texas Landmarks

Buildings along Ellis Street (Texas 14) at Navasota St. intersection.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, February, 2009

Looking west down Navasota St. The Rand Building is on the right.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, February, 2009

	Groesbeck's Rand Building TE Photo

We called the library in Groesbeck since it looked like the handsome, three-story Rand Building may have once been a hotel and would qualify for our Rooms with a Past series. Sadly this wasn't the case.

We were directed to Tom Hawkins who is president of the chamber and also editor of the Groesbeck Journal (www.groesbeckjournal.com). The chamber has a desk in the Journal office at 115 N. Ellis (State Hwy 14).

Mr. Hawkins is a Groesbeck native and told us that no, the Rand Building wasn't a hotel, but the newspaper office had been. When we asked the name he said it was one of those hotels that didn't officially have a name, but just sort of rented out rooms. It had also been the Groesbeck Opera House at one time. Groesbeck had had at least two other hotels. These were The Cynthia Ann Hotel (named after Quanah Parker's Mother) and The Thompson Hotel, but both have been razed.

The formidable Limestone County Courthouse was built in 1924 of brick, concrete, marble and tile (you were expecting limestone?) The impressive courthouse is unusual in that there are practically no buildings facing it. Groesbeck has no "Courthouse Square" per se. more

The Limestone County Historical Museum -
210 W. Navasota Street

Groesbeck is fortunate to have not one, but two bookstores in town. There is Bill Bond's Books 729-5511 and Richard Morrison 729-8640.

Groesbeck Chamber of Commerce:
254-729-3894
In the Groesbeck Journal Office 115 N. Ellis (Texas Hwy 14)
Website: www.groesbecktexas.org Book Hotel Here › Groesbeck Hotels

	Old Bridge over the Navasota River TE Photo

Groesbeck, Texas Area Attractions

Old Fort Parker
4 miles N of Groesbeck via Hwy 14 on Park Road 35.
254/729-5253

Fort Parker State Park
5 miles N of Groesbeck via Hwy 14, on Park Road 28
194 Park Road 28 Mexia TX 76667 254/562-5751
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site
194 Park Road 28 Mexia TX 76667
254/562-5751 6 miles south of Mexia on Hwy 14,
another 2.5 miles west on FM 2705.

	1924 A Storefront Detail in Groesbeck TE Photo

Groesbeck Chronicles

From Titanic Texans by Mike Cox

"Most of the Titanic victims who ended up in Halifax's cemeteries have never been identified. Though DNA testing has led to some modern identifications of some of those buried in Nova Scotia, no one knows whether Samuel Beard Risien and his wife Emma lie among them. They may have been buried at sea or their bodies never found.

Though not Texans by birth, they had been living at Groesbeck in Limestone County when they left on one of numerous trips they had taken from the Lone Star State to Risien's native England as well as to South Africa. Before heading back to Texas, Risien sent his son a postcard:

"About the time you get this we will be leaving for N. York. We expect to sail on the new ship 'Titanic' largest in the world (45,000 tons)...we shall sail...on April 10th that is if they can get coal enough to go on. It [coal] is getting very scarce and dear. Both well, Papa."... Read full article ›

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