To my Edgewood & Wills Point Friends...and Beyond!!!

I am very excited about coming home to compete in the Spring Fall Classic at Lake Tawakoni State Park on Sunday.  I signed up for this in March and have anticipated my version of "Homecoming" for sure.  I will be out and around town tonight and tomorrow either running or biking.  If you see me, make sure you honk, wave, or just simply stop me an say "Howdy!"  It will be great to see each and everyone of you.

For those of you that may be following my blog and have never been to Edgewood or Wills Point, feel free to contact me with questions on things to do while you are in the quaint little towns that a few privileged can say we have called home.  Here is just a little bit about my home town.

Edgewood was a great place to grow up.  Although you did not have the luxury of the big city, it was only an hour away.  You were also sheltered by crime and problems that the big city brings.  By the time I left town when had grown to over 1000 people, obtained another red light, and we were very proud of that.  If you have ever watched the TV show "Friday Night Lights", you may understand how much a small town is revolved around their athletics.  Following the Edgewood Bulldogs was just like that.  We are known for being great fans, but we also take pride in our heritage too.

Settlement began in the 1840's along the Dallas to Shreveport road. The first site was two miles SE of the present-day town and was named Barren Ridge. The area's first cemetery was located at this site as well as the Barren Ridge post office, which opened in 1850 and closed in 1857.

The Texas and Pacific Railroad was completed during the 1870's and a woodcutting center referred to as Stevens Switch found itself located between Canton's and Wills Point's bitter conflict in their struggle to be the Van Zandt County Seat. In 1878 after Canton won the dispute, the Canton residents built a shipping depot on the Texas and Pacific tracks 9 miles north of the county seat and called the site Edgewood, as it was situated on the edge of the East Texas Timberline.

Edgewood was platted, a post office granted and the old Star Route (presently known as State Highway 859) connected Edgewood and Canton. By 1881, Edgewood had a hotel and blacksmith and was firmly established as a T&P stop. The new railroad town attracted new settlers from Mississippi and by 1895 the wooden shanties began disappearing and were replaced by brick buildings. The population had soared to 650. A community church was built and Edgewood boasted all the essentials for a successful town.

Edgewood established itself as a cotton trader's paradise with the population flourishing from 1900-1920 at which time cotton prices fell to just pennies and the Great Depression hit in full force by 1929. After the depression, tomatoes were the big cash crop with Edgewood being referred to as the "Tomato Capitol of East Texas".

World War II brought all this to a sudden halt with families being torn apart due to the war effort. The economy withered and remained stale until the Northeast Gas Field was discovered in 1960.

With the opening of this rich gas field, farmers became ranchers, new homes were built, and a new school plant soon opened with integration in full swing.

The Heritage Park is an architectural museum of 21 authentically restored and furnished c. 1900 buildings representing the development of rural East Texas and is located on 16 lots in downtown Edgewood. The museum is a non-profit owned and operated by Edgewood Historical Society whose mission is to preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of the area. With an outstanding staff of volunteers, Heritage Park offers museum services to thousands seeking such a site to celebrate their rural heritage. 

More than a dozen historical structures, along with such displays as animal-powered farm equipment and a syrup mill, preserve the history of the area. Included are cabins from the 1800’s, blacksmith shop, country store, barber shop, schoolhouse, and a museum of tools, clothing, and other pioneer items. Docents in period dress often demonstrate pioneer skills.  One of the greatest times to visit Edgewood other than any First Monday or this weekend is during the Edgewood Heritage Festival which is held on the second Saturday of November.  It is definitely worth the trip.

Edgewood made me into the man I am today.  It showed me the true spirit of being a "good neighbor", it educated me in right from wrong, it showed me to take pride in my name, and ultimately it gave me a place to always call home regardless of where I live.  I have not lived there in nearly 20 years, but still to this day, I can be greeted by name at the local businesses by a friendly face or a wave on the road.  It will be great to come home to compete in the Spring Fall Classic, and I hope to see some of you there too.