Historical Marker

Site of Hockaday Homestead

Historical marker location:
Pecan Gap, Texas
( .5 miles east of FM 904 and FM 64 intersection on FM 64. Marker reported damaged and in storage Jul. 2015.)
Marker installed: 1998
Marker size: 27" x 42"

After a noted career as an educator and founder of Giles Academy (4 mi. east), Virginia-born Thomas Hart Benton Hockaday (1835-1918) bought more than 280 acres in this area in 1870. He farmed the land and built and operated a cotton gin. He later sold much of the property but maintained an eighty-acre homestead on this site for his wife Maria and their seven children. Following Maria's death in 1881, he married Misouri Bird in 1892. Hockaday sold his property to Laurence Pickard in 1916 and moved to Ladonia (4.5 mi. west) where he spent the remaining two years of his life. Pickard moved the Hockaday house in 1921 and divided it into rent houses for the farm's employees. Although the house itself is gone, the existing barn was constructed from Hockaday's cotton gin. T. H. B. Hockaday's youngest child, Ela (1875-1956), followed her father's footsteps into education. In 1913, at the peak of a teaching career that began at age eighteen, she established the Hockaday School in Dallas. In the thirty-three years she was with the institution, the Hockaday School earned national recognition as an excellent college preparatory school for girls. Ela Hockaday was instrumental in the founding of the Hockaday Alumnae Association which continues to carry on the Hockaday tradition. (1981, 1998)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

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Fannin County, Texas is located in the northeastern part of the state and has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The county was established in 1837 and was named after James Fannin, a prominent figure in Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Choctaw, before European settlers began to venture into the region.

During the Texas Revolution in 1836, Fannin County played a significant role in the struggle for independence. The Battle of Village Creek took place in the county, where Texian troops clashed with Mexican forces. Although the Texians won the battle, the conflict ultimately led to the massacre of James Fannin and his men at Goliad. This event became a rallying cry for Texan independence and solidarity.

In the following years, Fannin County experienced rapid growth and development. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s expanded trade and transportation, leading to increased prosperity. Agriculture became the backbone of the county's economy, with cotton, corn, and cattle production taking center stage. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century further contributed to the region's economic growth.

Throughout its history, Fannin County has faced challenges, including natural disasters such as devastating floods in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, the resilient community has always managed to recover and rebuild. Today, Fannin County is a thriving area, known for its rich history, charming small towns, and agricultural heritage.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Fannin County, Texas.

  • 1836: Fannin County is established as a county of Texas.
  • 1837: The county's first courthouse is constructed in the town of Warren.
  • 1839: The county seat is moved to the town of Bois d'Arc.
  • 1843: The county seat is relocated again, this time to Bonham.
  • 1845: Texas becomes a state, and Fannin County is officially recognized as part of the state.
  • 1858: Construction of a new courthouse in Bonham is completed.
  • 1861-1865: Fannin County experiences the impact of the American Civil War.
  • 1872: The first railroad is completed in the county, boosting economic growth.
  • 1886: A devastating fire destroys much of downtown Bonham, resulting in a significant rebuilding effort.
  • 1896: The Texas State Normal College is established in Bonham, later renamed Texas A&M University-Commerce.
  • 1905: Construction of a new courthouse in Bonham is completed.
  • 1930s: Fannin County experiences an economic decline during the Great Depression.
  • 1940s-1950s: Fannin County sees growth and development due to World War II and the subsequent post-war economic boom.
  • 1994: The county's current courthouse, a historic and architectural landmark, is added to the National Register of Historic Places.