Gilbert, Samuel and Julia, House
a.k.a. The Gilbert Homestead;The Old Rock House
2540 Farmers Branch Ln., Farmers Branch, TXSamuel H. Gilbert (1828-1890), a native of Tennessee, is documented in the 1850 census as a resident of Cass County, Texas. In 1852 he married Julia Ann Ritchie (c. 1836-1882), a fellow Tennessean, and three years later purchased 307 acres of John L. Pulliam's 1842 Peters' Colony headright. The Colony was the first major Republic of Texas colonization effort in the region. Because of Colony legal problems, Dr. Gilbert did not receive a clear title to the land until 1868.
The Gilberts constructed their home apparently in 1855 and 1856. The scarcity of surviving mid-19th Century houses in Dallas County makes establishing an architectural context difficult. From what we do know, it appears that typically houses were smaller and of log or frame construction, as befitted a frontier settlement. The plan of the Gilbert House is perhaps representative of more prosperous homes of the period: it features two 3-bay blocks with a central dogtrot and front gallery. The Gilbert Homestead, however, as a rock house was of more durable construction material than most contemporaneous area houses, and it was likely more architecturally pretentious than the typical Dallas County house of the period. The large, hipped gable roof is unusually prominent; such roofs and inset porches are found in Louisiana houses of the period but are less likely in the Texas frontier.
Dr. Gilbert was clearly a person of influence in the area. As a medical doctor, his arrival was doubtless a welcome event. His diary is filled with notes describing trips taken to aid the sick or injured and of patients seeking him at home for treatment. Additionally, he had his own farming and livestock operations; his diary mentions growing wheat, corn, cotton, oats, dewberries, melons, and potatoes, while livestock included cattle (for which he received a registered earmark in 1860) and sheep (his herd numbered 555 by 1862). He apparently hired slave labor to assist in the development of his property in its early days.
Dr. Gilbert remained a civilian but contributed to the war effort during the Civil War years. In 1861, he and one R. M. Cook held a meeting at the Union Schoolhouse to help raise a militia to "defend our country and southern rights," and the two also raised money for the Dallas County Soldiers Aid Society. In May 1863, the Dallas Herald listed Dr. Gilbert as one of the citizens of the county authorized to collect the names of persons who were the dependents of officers and children and thus were entitled to buy cotton cards at the state price. This was part of a campaign to encourage the production of cloth through carding cotton by hand.
In 1866, Dr. Gilbert was elected Justice of the Peace in Precinct 4, and in 1874 he was named a school board trustee within the Precinct. That same year he sold a right of way through his property to the Dallas and Wichita Railroad (later part of the Missouri-Texas system) for one dollar. In 1885 he purchased one of the first lots of Farmers Branch at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Avenue.
The Gilberts had two daughters, Mary (Mrs. B. W.) Langley and Isabell Gilbert Lenthicum Hughes, who with her second husband William acquired the homestead after Dr. Gilbert's death in 1890. "Belle" Hughes died in 1925; the property was sold to Roy McKee and William Dodson in 1929.
McKee and his wife Wynona remodeled and added to the Gilbert Homestead in 1939. The dogtrot was glazed in and a portion of one interior wall was removed. A rear wing was added to the west of the house to provide four bedrooms and baths and a two-car garage. The architect is not known, but the addition was designed in a pleasant, rather a picturesque mode popularized in Dallas by architects Charles Dillbeck, O'Neil Ford and others. While very different from the original design concept, it blends well and has integrity of its own. The McKees sold the property in 1952. It changed hands twice more, and in 1981 was acquired by the City of Farmers Branch as part of its Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Farmers Branch has recently grown from a sleepy, country town with a 1950 population of 915 into a prosperous Dallas suburb with an estimated 29,410 inhabitants in 1986. The northern third of Dallas County, arguably one of the fastest growing areas in the United States in recent decades, has very few 19th Century buildings of any sort, and the antiquity and significance of the Gilbert Homestead fortunately were fully appreciated by both the city administrators and the people of Farmers Branch.
Accordingly, the main block of the Gilbert Homestead was restored as accurately as possible, using primary sources, oral histories and structural evidence. The dogtrot infill was removed and its early configuration was restored. The rear wing added by the McKees was considered compatible and rehabilitated for operational purposes, but its easternmost room was converted into a breezeway as a means of separating it from the main block. The house is now a successful historic house museum and a source of pride to the people of Farmers Branch and Dallas County.
The Gilbert Homestead is also proven to be archaeologically significant. It was visited by historical archaeologist Randall Moir of the Southern Methodist University Institute for the Study of Earth and Man; Moir is also a member of the Texas State Board of Review. Moir observed
The house stands on its original house lot and has a comparatively intact archaeological yardscape containing artifacts, archaeological features, sheet refuse, and localized yard middens based on visible remains observed in September 1987. Artifacts noted during a walkover of the 2.2-acre house lot ranged from the 1850s to the 1930s. The surface remains included a light scatter of artifacts dating from Dr. Gilbert's first two decades of occupation and provide material support for substantial buried sheet refuse and discrete features, should archaeological excavations be conducted. Surface evidence suggested large portions of 19th Century yardscape have remained unaltered and have considerable potential for high integrity. These deposits offer an important historical asset for further developing the site and can provide tangible evidence of some of the Gilberts' household possessions (e.g. ceramic and glass vessels, clothing parts, consumable goods and foodstuffs, personal and leisure items, etc.), foodways (faunal consumption and packaged foods), yardscape layout (outbuildings, fences, pathways, etc.) and certain outdoor activities (work areas, refuse areas, animal pens, wells, etc.) Consequently, the absence of major or broad-scale disturbance of large portions of the yard, coupled with the strong surface evidence of intact yard deposits and localized yard middens, make the archaeological component of the Gilbert site an important historical asset requiring recognition, protection, and eventually professional development. [Moir to Maxson]
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Established in 1846, Dallas County played a crucial role in the development of North Texas. The county's namesake, George Mifflin Dallas, was the Vice President of the United States at the time. The city of Dallas, the county seat, quickly emerged as a center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along major transportation routes.
During the late 19th century, Dallas County experienced rapid economic growth driven by industries such as cotton, railroads, and cattle. The city of Dallas became a major hub for cotton trading, attracting business and establishing itself as a prominent financial center in the Southwest.
In the 20th century, Dallas County continued to evolve and diversify its economy. The discovery of oil in the nearby East Texas Oil Field in the early 1900s led to the development of the oil industry in the region, contributing to the county's prosperity. The county also played a significant role in the aerospace industry, hosting the headquarters of major aerospace companies and contributing to the growth of aviation technology.
Dallas County's cultural landscape reflects its vibrant and diverse population. The county is home to a wide range of cultural institutions, including museums, art galleries, theaters, and music venues. Dallas County also played a notable role in the civil rights movement, with important milestones in the fight for equality and integration.
Today, Dallas County stands as a major economic and cultural center. It boasts a robust economy supported by various industries, including finance, technology, healthcare, and telecommunications. The county is known for its thriving arts scene, professional sports teams, and diverse culinary offerings.
With its rich history, economic vitality, and cultural significance, Dallas County continues to shape North Texas as a dynamic and influential region.
Dallas County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Dallas County, Texas.
Pre-19th Century: The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Caddo, Wichita, and Comanche.
1839: Dallas County was officially established and named after George Mifflin Dallas, the Vice President of the United States under President James K. Polk.
Mid-19th Century: Dallas County experienced significant growth with the establishment of Dallas as a trading post and the arrival of settlers drawn by the opportunities in trade and agriculture.
Late 1800s: The county prospered with the expansion of railroads, particularly the Texas and Pacific Railway and the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, which solidified Dallas as a major transportation hub.
Early 20th Century: Dallas County saw a surge in economic development and urbanization. Industries such as oil, cotton, banking, and manufacturing fueled the city's growth.
1960s: Dallas County gained national attention due to its role in the civil rights movement. The city of Dallas was the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Late 20th Century: Dallas County continued to experience rapid growth and diversification, becoming a major center for business, finance, and telecommunications. The county is known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene, including the Dallas Arts District.
Today, Dallas County is the second-most populous county in Texas and home to the city of Dallas, a thriving metropolitan area.