ROOSEVELT

Over the years, the fortunes of the little village of Roosevelt have waxed and waned. (Locals pronounce it to rhyme with “blue”, as did its namesake, Teddy Roosevelt, a long ago visitor.) The once-thriving community boasted a school, with winning basketball teams, a dancehall, mercantile store, filling station, hotel, barber shop, telephone exchange, churches and even a Masonic Lodge. Most of those no longer exist, though some of their remains are still visible.

Located just 18 miles west of Junction off I-10, the all-but-forgotten community gained momentum again in 1996 when the Simon family purchased an old building, which was once owned by a Simon ancestor and was named Simon Brothers Mercantile. In 2018, the mercantile and Backdoor Cafe were purchased by Lyssy and Eckel Feeds. Though under new ownership, the Simon family is still greatly involved.

The mercantile, a something-for-everyone general store, containing a post office, antiques, gasoline, feed, supplies and an abundance of personality, is the de facto community center.

Though the actual population of Roosevelt is less than 20, it provides the nexus for all socializing for the area. The unofficial “city council” roundtable meets daily for coffee, to solve problems, both local and worldwide, and to dispense advice. There are afternoon domino games and old-fashioned cheeseburgers, fries and more excellent cuisine in the aptly-named Simon Brothers Cafe.

Simon Bros. Mercantile and Lyssy and Eckel Feeds and friends host a lunch for hunters on opening day of deer season, the KC Chapter Mule Deer Foundation Banquet, a parade on Christmas Eve, a New Year’s dance with a fireworks show and whatever else might serve as an opportunity to have some fun!

State Historic Site

Standing atop a windswept remote hill, the remains of a 150-year-old West Texas fort beckons curious visitors to the site that is now considered one of the best preserved and most intact examples of a Texas Indian Wars (1850–1875) military post. Take in the spectacular Hill Country vistas and experience the history of early West Texas life through the real stories of the infantrymen, Buffalo Soldiers, women, and children who lived at what Gen. William T. Sherman once described as “the prettiest post in Texas.”

Visitors can spend time in the fort’s visitors center museum (the fort’s hospital building) learning about the history of the site, or experience nature along the quarter-mile trail to the fort’s spring at the headwaters of the San Saba River.

Texas Rangers at Fort McKavett-May 26, 2023 - 8:00 a.m. to May 28 202312:00 p.m.

The Texas Rangers were active throughout West Texas in the mid19th Century. In 1878, there was a shootout in between Rangers and discharged soldiers from Fort McKavett at a place called “Scabtown”, located a mile north of the fort. Come see living historians demonstrate their firearms and equipment like a Ranger of the mid-19th Century!

Nighttime Photography-June 3, 2023

Grab your cameras and come out to see the nighttime sky at McKavett! Please be on site by 4 p.m. to fill out a waiver and familiarize yourselves with the grounds. For more information, contact Rhett Kearns at Rhett. Kearns@thc.texas.gov or at 325-396-2358.

For more events, visit: https://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/ events/5530

London

The Kimble County town of London has survived fires and other calamities to become a community that is proud of its heritage and its part of the history of the area.

The town was established by Len L. Lewis, a horse trader and former Union Army officer from Illinois.

The Western cattle trail went through London, and residents witnessed thousands of head of cattle being driven through their town. (In more recent years, a private airplane made an emergency landing and taxied right down Main Street in London.) Lewis was the first postmaster. Mail was delivered to his home where locals were required to pick out their own mail. He also operated a hotel, wagon yard and served as justice of the peace.

Israel Pettigrew opened a blacksmith shop, and a drug store was built by Dr. J. M. Burt, a pharmacist and “traveling” dentist. There was also a cotton gin, and optimistic residents built a school and three churches.

The London Dance Hall, a cultural icon, has been open over 100 years and features live music most weekends!

Drop by on November 4, the morning of open hunting season, for a free Hunter’s Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. at the London Community Center.