Flower Mound and Double Oak

Our Community - Students in our class live in many different neighborhoods in the the communities of Flower Mound and Double Oak.  Flower Mound and Double Oak are suburbs of the large urban areas of Dallas and Fort Worth.  We have been studying about the history of our community.

Native Americans - Many Native Americans, including the Wichita Indians, lived on the Blackland Prairie in this region.  The grasses were higher than a man's head on horseback.  Deer, turkeys, prairie chickens, and buffalo herds roamed the prairie.  Small creeks and streams flowed into the Trinity River.  The rich soil contained many trees, such as pecan trees, walnut trees, and oaks.  Wild grapevines covered the trees and brush.  Beehives filled with honey were found in the trees.  The Wichita Indians built their homes from tall prairie grass and farmed the fertile land growing corn, maize, beans, and squash.

Early Settlers - In 1836 the Republic of Texas was formed after a bloody war with Mexico, which included battles fought at the Alamo and San Jacinto.  The young Republic of Texas needed people to settle the North Texas area where land was plentiful, but people were not.  To encourage people from other places to move to the unsettled areas, Texas awarded a land grant to W. S. Peters.  People came to this part of Texas because they were given free land.  The settlers had to live on the land for three years, build a house and a fence, and farm 15 acres of land.  People traveled in wagon trains which consisted of three to five families.  If you were to look into a wagon, you would have seen a coffee pot, skillet and lid, a Bible, a gun, an axe, blankets and bedding, one or two pieces of clothing for each family member, a chest with precious family pieces, grain, seed, tools, and barrels of water attached to the side of the wagon.  During their journey the settlers were constantly aware of dangers of wild animals attacking.  At any time they could have been attacked or killed by Indians.

Once they arrived at their homestead, they had to build a house in which to live, clear the land to plant their crops, and struggle to stay alive.  There were no churches or schools.  A doctor could be a five or six day ride away.  Neighbors were not nearby like neighbors today.  When settlers looked out the window all they saw was land.  The nearest neighbor could be a few hours ride on horseback.  They went to the general store to stock up on food and supplies maybe once a month.

Peters Colony - Peters Colony group helped develop the Flower Mound area in the 1840's.  Most of these immigrants were farmers.  Each settlement was named after one of the families in the settlement.  They found tall grass prairie with cross-timbers stretching from north to south.  These wooded areas had grizzly and black bears, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, and foxes.  The prairie had deer, elk, antelope, buffalo and mustangs.  The flowing creeks had alligators and lots of fish, while wild turkey lived around the creek.

First School and Early Church - In 1854 the Presbyterian Church was organized in Long Prairie (Flower Mound) and the Bethel School was built, becoming the center of the community.  In 1858 a log cabin was built for the church.

Chinn's Chapel - 1846 pioneer women met at Lockhart Spring to draw water and to wash clothes.  Desiring a house of worship, they convinced their husbands and other families to provide one hand hewn post oak log each time they came to the spring.  In 1858 the settlers came together and raised a log cabin in one day on a beautiful site donated by Mary and Elisha Chinn.  They called the church Antioch and it was also used as a school and temporary shelter for pioneers building their own cabins.  It later became know as Chinn's Chapel.  Below are pictured of the restored log cabin and cemetery.  A related article tells more about the early church.  http://www.texas-ec.org/tcp/1000chinns.html

Denton County was organized in 1846 and named for Captain John B. Denton killed in 1841 in a battle with Indians.  He was a captain of a ranger company, a lawyer, a Methodist minister, a pioneer, and a hero.  He is buried on the Denton Court House Square.

Flower Mound was incorporated in 1961 so that it would not be annexed by the city of Irving.  Bob Rheudasil was the first mayor.  Current population is 50,702.  The logo has a picture of the Dallas skyline in the background a large tree in the middle of the logo, and a horse on the right side of the tree.  Flower Mound was named for the 12 1/2 acre Mound that stands above the prairie flatlands and is believed to have been a sacred ceremonial ground for the Wichita Indians.  From the top of the mound you can see the downtown Dallas skyline.  During certain times of the year it is covered with blue stem grasses and lots of different wildflowers.

Double Oak- Double Oak was incorporated in 1974 and has a population of 2,200.  At one time there was a school in Double Oak, but it closed in 1962.  The town logo has two trees.  Double Oak is strictly a residential community with no businesses.  Residents enjoy larger lots and a variety of community events.  A new town hall was dedicated this year.

My Town Is Important Page

Matching Game To Review These Facts

         Enjoy A Slide Show of Beautiful Texas Wildflowers

at The Web Page of Susan Silverman