Tucker, Texas, Anderson County Freemen community. (original) (raw)
Entering Tucker from the south on US79/84.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2007
History in a Pecan Shell
Settlement began just after the Civil War when Freedmen from the Long Lake cotton plantation organized the Green Bay AME Church. The name Green Bay also designated two Black schools. A white community called Prairie Point developed even though the Black section kept the name Green Bay. With the arrival of the IG & N railroad in 1872, a post office was granted under the name Prairie Point. In 1882 both post office and town were renamed to honor storekeeper and landowner W. H. Tucker.
The population of Tucker was estimated at 40 during the 1880s and by the mid-1890s it had grown to an estimated 150 citizens. Although the post office closed in 1905, oil exploration began in 1913. After many dry holes, finally in the early 30s profitable oil and gas wells came in and a small refinery was built. Despite the oil, the population remained about 60 through the Great Depression. By the mid 1960s the population had fallen to a mere 40 people. From the late 70s through 1990 the estimated population was just over 300. The oilfield is still in production although the refinery has since shut down.
The former Green Bay High School
now serves as the community center.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2007
Green Bay High School historical marker
Photo courtesy Erik Whetstone, October 2005
Historical Marker
Green Bay High School
Green Bay High School traces its origin to October 11, 1889, when eleven black men of the community formed a board of trustees and organized a school for the area's black children. The first school facility was provided by Green Bay Methodist Church. New school buildings erected in the early 1900s also housed the Mt. Sinai Masonic Lodge. Many dedicated teachers served in the Green Bay School, and students from a large rural area attended the school from its creation until desegration of area school systems was achieved in 1966.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986
Green Bay Green Bay A.M.E. Church in Tucker.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2007
Historical Marker:
Green Bay A.M.E. Church
This congregation traces its history to 1866, when a group of black workers at the Long Lake Cotton Plantation gathered together informally to organize a church. The following year the owners of the plantation designated a plot of land on which the workers built a sanctuary, known as Green Bay Church. In 1868 the congregation was formally recognized by the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) denomination and was renamed Green Bay A.M.E. Church. It was the first church in the Long Lake area.
In 1870 members of the church organized a day school for their children which became known as Green Bay School. When the church was moved to this site in 1887, school classes were held in the church building until a new school facility was erected in 1899. The church continued to grow in its new location. Missionary activities included the establishment of two new congregations in the Tucker vicinity: New Salem Church and Bailey Chapel. Construction of a new sanctuary at this site began in 1956 and was completed in 1959. Still an active congregation, Green Bay A.M.E. Church continues to serve the community with worship and outreach.
(1989)
Green Bay A.M.E. Church Historical marker
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2007
Tucker Church of God in Christ, a few blocks west off US 79/84.
Photo courtesy Terry Jeanson, July 2007
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