The History of Annetta, Texas (as of August 11th, 1962)
Commissioned by Terry McGrath
Completed by the Southwest & Geneaology Department of the Fort Worth Public Library
The rural community of Annetta was established in 1904 when the Texas and Pacific railroad was built West from Fort Worth. Mr. S.A. Winslow gave the right-of-way through his farm if the company would establish a station at the extreme West side of his property. Mr. A.B. Frasier built a post office and general store. He called the new settlement “Aneta” in honor of his daughter Miss Aneta.
Annetta is stationed some 8 miles East of Weatherford, and twenty miles West of Fort Worth. It is in the eastern part of Parker County. The school district has twelve square miles, taxable property values at $136,280, revenue $1,904.24.
About fifty years ago a small public school was established in the new community. since that time, slow but steady progress has been made toward improving the school system. Two years ago a beautiful new school building was built of native stone, which consisted of two classrooms and an auditorium. It is hoped in the near future to add another room and teacher as there are now 47 pupils enrolled and there is every indication that there will be more families to move in the community very soon.
Frank Winslow, who is seventy-eight years of age, is the only survivor of the original Winslow family. He was about grown when the Texas and Pacific Railroad was built through this section of the country. He took five yokes of oxen and plowed on the cuts and receive $7 per day for his labor and for the oxen. He yet lives on the old home place, which is noted through this section for its beautiful native pecan grove; eighty seven trees in all. These beautiful trees are so tall that a grain crop is sewed and harvested under their wide flung bows each year.
I have just visited another successful farmer by the name of E.T. Chapman who came from Georgia at the age of seventeen. He soon met and later married Miss Kate Higgins, who was born in 1870. Her early life was spent near the construction of the Texas & Pacific Railroad while her father drove the stage coach and carried the mail West. While he and his partner were making one of these trips they were attacked by the Indians, and Mr. Higgins partner was killed. He resigned the position after this and built a new home near Annetta. This home had the first panel doors and glass windows West of Fort Worth. He never lived in this home because he sickened and died of Typhoid fever. For a time after his death, Mrs. Higgins made her living by selling her produce to the construction crews of the Texas and Pacific Railroad. The family moved to the Southern part of Parker County, where Mrs. Chapman saw the last band of Indians to go through this part of the country. They were peaceful, however, and did no harm to the whites. By their thrift and good management Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have acquired quite a bit of land. I enclose a photo of their modern six-room home, which is built of native stones.
The third citizen which we shall discuss is one which any community has a right to be proud; Ben Gratts, who is colored. He has lived here fifty-seven years. He has ten children living. He has a well-tilled two hundred acre farm, five room cottage and a goodly supply of implements and stock. He and his wife have Francis have raised a hard working family and I have never heard of him or any member of his family trying to beat an honest debt, or not being law abiding citizens in all things.
There are five pipe lines carrying oil running through this district and one transcontinental telephone line running parallel with he pipe lines.
The soil in this district ranges from deep sand in the valley to black loam on the prairies. Dairying is carried on a great many farms, ranging from a few cows to one hundred of more. Chickens and turkeys are the main poultry products. Diversified farming is practiced and the following crops are raised West, oats, barley, cotton, corn, alfalfa, cane, maise, and other feed crops.
In the last decade many of the native pecan trees have been budded with paper shelled pecans. This has brought the pecan industry up to one of the foremost moneyed crops. One of our largest orchards has seven-hundred bearing trees.
We can boast of rich deposits of limestone, which is being used in building homes and in a crushed form on highways. It is most satisfactory and there is no limit to the supply of this material. There are also rich deposits of sand and gravel, both used in construction. If cheap electricity were provided for the people in this community, this would be an ideal place to live. We feel that this could be done easily, as we are but one mile off US highway 80 and our lateral roads are among the best anywhere. Land prices range from $25.00 an acre for grass land to $100.00 an acre for the rich valley land.
Myrtle V. Abernaily
Aledo, TX