Locust Grove
Off TX 134, Jonesville, TXLocust Grove represents a good example of a Greek Revival plantation house of mid-nineteenth century Texas and stands as one of the oldest houses in the small community of Jonesville. Built for Alpheus Wright, the house once served as the center of a large plantation and has remained within the possession of Wright's descendants since its completion between 1847 and 1849.
Alpheus Wright moved from Trenton, Kentucky to Harrison County in 1847. That same year, Redding S. Fridgen, a wealthy landowner in the area, married Wright's eldest daughter and sold 640 acres to Wright. Construction soon began on the two-story frame house, and by 1849 the structure was completed. When Wright's youngest daughter, Edith Florence, was born in the house in 1849, the building was called Florence Dale in honor of this child. However, the name did not stick, and eventually, the house became known as Locust Grove, although the name's origin is not known.
The Wright plantation prospered throughout the 1850s, but the Civil War and Wright's illness in the mid-1860s contributed to the decline of the plantation. Wright's only son, Robert, returned from his assignment with the Confederate army to visit his father and run the plantation. When Wright died in 1869, his widow, Lucy Taylor Wright, became the owner, and Robert managed the farm. After their deaths in 1888, the land was subdivided among the family members and the house became the property of Robert's widow, Eudora Ferry Wright. After her death in 1902, the house has been owned by various family members and is still owned by a direct descendant of Alpheus Wright.
The community of Jonesville was founded in 1847 in the eastern section of Harrison County about four miles west of the Louisiana border. The township was originally called Border, but the name was soon changed to Jonesville. When the railroad arrived in 1868, most of the townspeople moved one and one-half miles south near the railroad tracks. As a result, Locust Grove stands as an excellent reminder of the old townsite and represents one of the oldest and most impressive residences in the area.
Local significance of the building:
Alpheus Wright moved from Trenton, Kentucky to Harrison County in 1847. That same year, Redding S. Fridgen, a wealthy landowner in the area, married Wright's eldest daughter and sold 640 acres to Wright. Construction soon began on the two-story frame house, and by 1849 the structure was completed. When Wright's youngest daughter, Edith Florence, was born in the house in 1849, the building was called Florence Dale in honor of this child. However, the name did not stick, and eventually, the house became known as Locust Grove, although the name's origin is not known.
The Wright plantation prospered throughout the 1850s, but the Civil War and Wright's illness in the mid-1860s contributed to the decline of the plantation. Wright's only son, Robert, returned from his assignment with the Confederate army to visit his father and run the plantation. When Wright died in 1869, his widow, Lucy Taylor Wright, became the owner, and Robert managed the farm. After their deaths in 1888, the land was subdivided among the family members and the house became the property of Robert's widow, Eudora Ferry Wright. After her death in 1902, the house has been owned by various family members and is still owned by a direct descendant of Alpheus Wright.
The community of Jonesville was founded in 1847 in the eastern section of Harrison County about four miles west of the Louisiana border. The township was originally called Border, but the name was soon changed to Jonesville. When the railroad arrived in 1868, most of the townspeople moved one and one-half miles south near the railroad tracks. As a result, Locust Grove stands as an excellent reminder of the old townsite and represents one of the oldest and most impressive residences in the area.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About National Register Listings
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.
The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Texas in 1859. The discovery of oil transformed the economy of the state and helped to make Texas one of the wealthiest states in the nation.
About Harrison County
Harrison County Timeline
Harrison County, located in northeastern Texas, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Caddo and Cherokee. In 1839, the Republic of Texas incorporated Harrison County, naming it after Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary. The county quickly became an important center for commerce and government.
During the mid-19th century, Harrison County played a significant role in the development of Texas. The discovery of oil in the nearby East Texas Oil Field in 1930 brought prosperity and growth to the county. This led to the establishment of several oil companies, driving economic development and creating job opportunities for local residents.
Harrison County was also deeply impacted by slavery and the Civil War. Prior to the war, the county was home to numerous large plantations that relied on enslaved labor for agricultural production. The war left a lasting impact on the county, which continued to struggle with racial tensions and inequality in the years following the war.
Today, Harrison County remains an important part of Texas history and boasts a diverse and vibrant community. The county is home to a number of historic sites, including the Texas and Pacific Railway Depot and the W.C. Dewberry Home and Museum, which showcase the area's rich cultural heritage. With its blend of history and modern progress, Harrison County continues to be a significant contributor to the growth and development of Texas.
During the mid-19th century, Harrison County played a significant role in the development of Texas. The discovery of oil in the nearby East Texas Oil Field in 1930 brought prosperity and growth to the county. This led to the establishment of several oil companies, driving economic development and creating job opportunities for local residents.
Harrison County was also deeply impacted by slavery and the Civil War. Prior to the war, the county was home to numerous large plantations that relied on enslaved labor for agricultural production. The war left a lasting impact on the county, which continued to struggle with racial tensions and inequality in the years following the war.
Today, Harrison County remains an important part of Texas history and boasts a diverse and vibrant community. The county is home to a number of historic sites, including the Texas and Pacific Railway Depot and the W.C. Dewberry Home and Museum, which showcase the area's rich cultural heritage. With its blend of history and modern progress, Harrison County continues to be a significant contributor to the growth and development of Texas.
Harrison County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Harrison County, Texas.
- 1839 - Harrison County established as a county in the Republic of Texas
- 1840 - Marshall becomes the county seat of Harrison County
- 1861-1865 - Harrison County residents serve in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War
- 1873 - Great Fire of Marshall destroys much of the city
- 1881 - First telephone exchange established in Marshall
- 1902 - Texas and Pacific Railway brings economic growth to the county
- 1930s - Oil discovery leads to an economic boom in Harrison County
- 1979 - East Texas Oil Museum opens in Kilgore, showcasing the region's oil industry
- 2005 - Hurricane Rita causes significant damage to the county
- 2020 - Present day