Thank you for dropping by, we hope you will take a little time to browse around and learn a little bit about this small East Texas city. We wish to thank everyone who furnished information especially the Van Zandt County Historical Commission who gave permission for the use of their publication Van Zandt County, Texas, Pictorial History 1848-1994. We wish to further thank all of the wonderful people who gave of their time and shared their photos with the Historical Commission so that this publication could be made available to those who are interested in our history. There were so many photos to choose from, that I hardly knew where to begin and had a very difficult time deciding where to stop. A special thanks to Pattizo Humphries for the historical information. If you have further photos or information that you are willing to share, please contact us and we will gladly add to the page. Additions, corrections, comments and compliments should be submitted to Betty Miller and Patsy Vinson.
Edgewood, a rural community nestled on the edge of the great East Texas timberline, is located fifty miles east of Dallas on U.S. Hwy. 80 and is only ten miles north of the world renoun (sic) First Monday Trades Day in Canton. The thriving community is ten miles south via State Hwy 859 and 1395 of Lake Tawakoni which is a fisherman's and campers paradise.
Settlement of the area began in the mid 1840s as Eastern pioneers displaced the native Caddo Indians and organized a farming community which is still the area's main industry along with ranching. In 1873, the Texas and Pacific Railroad from Dallas to Shreveport passed through the area, but only a switch existed until 1878 when, as a result of the famous County Seat War, Canton needed a new shipping point; therefore, a trail was blazed from the County Seat to Stephens Switch and the city of Edgewood was founded.
Along with an excellent school system, fine churches, and an attractive municipal park, natives point with pride to Heritage Park Museum which is the focal point of the downtown area. The outdoor architactural museum, owned and operated by the Edgewood Historical Society, Inc., contained routeen authentically restored and furnished circa 1900 structures that represent rural Van Zandt County in the early 1900s. Through a united effort of dedicated volunteers, the museum will continue to expand and to offer present and future generations an opportunity to celebrate their heritage.
*** Cotton was an important part of Edgewood's agricultural industry. Some of the cotton buyers of the time were: G. W. Lee, J. W. Peavy, R. M. Millsaps, W. H. Humphries, H. I. Brown, and D. A. Hooks. Illie James and H. A. Valentine were independent buyers. During this period there were 3 gins: A. L. Spradlin & Sons, J. E. King, and W. A. Brooks & M. W. Crowson. Edgewood's cotton was shipped to the Terrell, Texas cotton compress. Tom and Henry Valentine were among the earliest public cotton weighers in Edgewood.
To view photographs of interest pertaining to this page, click on one of the items listed below. To get back to this page, click the "back" button on your browser.
The Edgewood Public School from 1890s through 1912..
The Slaughter School Group about 1890. Back Row: Ive McClellan, teacher Emma Cullen, Jane Cartwright, Mattie Cheatham, Lela Cheatham, Effie James Board, Lilly Dale Slaughter, Valera "LeLe" Slaughter, Mabel Beard, Oliver McClellan, Willie Taylor, Emma Cheatham, Alice Slaughter McClellan, Lucy Jones, Lula Starnes, Daisy Chitty, Sarah Sally Cheatham, Milton Starnes, Press Starnes, Roy Starnes, Henry Chitty, Ervie McClellan, Leslie Edward Slaughter, Claude Taylor, Robert Boone Cheatham. This school was located south of Hwy 80 and accomodated 30 or 40 students.
A Rat Killing at the Perry Smith barn. L-R: Edd Smith, Ollie Smith, O. B. Coursey, Unknown, Perry Smith, Vertis Chaney, Luther Jones & Jeff Parker.
A. M. Fears was among early pioneers of Edgewood, migrating from Alabana. His tombstone in New Hope Cemetery states that he surrendered with Lee at Appomattox.
William Henry Humphries and Mollie Presley Humphries moved to Edgewood from Honey Grove, Mississippi in 1892. He established the W. H. Humphries General Mercantile.
William Presley and Lizzie Starnes Presley.
Uncle Tilman Slaughter early 1900s. Photo courtesy Marguerite Crawford.
Telephone Book Cover - Spring 1919 Edgewood Telephone Book Cover.
Telephone Book A - G - Spring 1919 Edgewood Southwestern Telegraph & Telephone Company.
Telephone Book H - N - Spring 1919 Edgewood Southwestern Telegraph & Telephone Company
Telephone Book P - Z - Spring 1919 Edgewood Southwestern Telegraph & Telephone Company
Farmer's & Merchants State Bank; Edgewood, Texas - Promisory note for $7.50 dated 19 August 1919; Check dated 20 May 1918 in the amount of $10.00.
Van
Zandt County
Patsy
Finley Vinson
