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usually rare.) A fellow named Stegall seems to have been the first teacher, and there were about 25 or 30 children attend ing. The building was also used as a church—with three denomi nations using it on different Sundays—namely, the Baptists, Camelites, and Methodists. A room was added sometime later and the building was then used as a Masonic Hall—the first in Gillespie County. During those first years, the mail was brought out from Fred ericksburg (the nearest post of fice) by whoever happened to go there. A system was finally worked out whereby when the mail was brought in from Fred ericksburg, it was left at Harri son's store in a sack. People would come into the store and dig in the sack till they found the letter they were looking for, or didn’t—whichever the case may have been. Then August Cameron began carrying the mail from Freder icksburg to Burnet—via Willow City. So that the mail wouldn't get mixed up, Mrs. Harrison pro cured a sack for Cameron and embroidered “WILLOW CITY” in big, black letters on it— and thus the settlement became offi cially “Willow City.” Previous ly, it had just been known sim ply as “the settlement on Wil low Creek.” However, the settlement on Willow Creek came to an almost tragic end about 1886, when the little creek suddenly went on a rampage, and practically washed the whole place away. Harrison's store was partially wrecked, and the merchandise, together with that of another store owned by a Mr. Gliddon, were strewn along the creek’s banks for several miles. Mr. Gliddon’s store was completely washed away. But it wasn't long before a new Willow City was building up about three quarters of a mile northwest of the old location—and incidently, further away from Willow Creek Here, Riley Burrer had the first store—a Grange store—and Laxton was postmaster. A drug store was built, and another ge neral store was soon added, ope rated by H. J. Robinson. At one time, Mr. Robinson also employ ed a druggist in his store. Cot ton was becoming an important crop and Ricks’ old mill was converted into a gin, to handle the new situation. Green Harri son had a newspaper, but it isn’t definitely established whether it was actually printed in Wil low City or not—but it is known that he published one of the first English-language newspapers in Fredericksburg. A new, two-storied stone school house was built in 1905 and in it’s prime, the school had three teachers and around 70 pupils. The Baptists and Methodists each had a church, but in 1927, a storm demolished the Baptist building. And here is a good ex ample of the type of people who make up Willow City—When the Baptists lost their building, they were allowed to hold services in the Methodist church. On the second Sunday of each month, Rev. Joe Garret held services— until about 3 or 4 years ago. Since the depression, cotton has more or less passed out of the picture, and stock-raising do minates the occupational scene. The gin burned down in 1930. So it seems that Fate had plann ed things to coincide fairly well. Today there are 53 people liv ing in Willow City itself, now— and two stores, each with a fill ing station. One store contains the post office and switch board. There are two churches—Metho dist and Apolistic—with minis ters coming out from Fredericks burg to hold services at differ ent times during the month. The present school teaches 8 grades, has 20 pupils and one teacher. Big Flat community has consoli dated with it and the older child ren of the communities—about 17 or more, now, are taken to Fredericksburg High School on a bus owned by the Willow City School. That is the present day picture of Willow City. It is just another town that has been sapped im measureably by improved high ways and modern means of trav el. But even though the town, itself, has changed, it’s people haven't. I don't believe they ever will. For in Willow City, we find there is still the old-fashioned type of Texan—with that same pioneer spirit flowing in his veins and that same hardiness in his character. With such peo ple, as this, a town may even tually die, but the community, itself, will always prosper. Sure ly, with it’s large modern ran ches, it’s well-improved farms, and it's wild scenic beauty, the on-coming generations should al-
Newspaper Details
Fredericksburg Standard
Fredericksburg, Texas, US
Wed, May 01, 1946
Page 40
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 15 Jun 2026
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