Early History
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Shelley Herman Realty 214-578-5951 Shelleyherman@kw.com Shelleyhermanhomes.com
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Before the Civil War, not very many families had moved into the land west of McKinney, Texas. The land was covered with prairie grass, wildflowers and a few trees. Settlements in this area were very few and most pioneers began to settle here after the 1850’s. The Jeremiah Horn family settled in the Walnut Grove area in 1845. At that time, it is said his family lived farther west than any other family in Collin County. He created a family cemetery plot that is still in existence today. It is located about two miles north of U.S. Highway 380 on Custer Road (west side). It is a private cemetery and is shown as the Hunt Cemetery on all records in Collin County. The Prosper Historical Society has filed the necessary paperwork to legally change the name to the Jeremiah Horn Cemetery. Since it is a private cemetery and there is no living horn relative in the area, the Prosper Masonic Lodge has been cleaning the cemetery.
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Before the Town of Prosper was Founded in 1902
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In 1846, Ben Naugle settled on some land two miles south of the current town of Prosper. He purchased 320 acres of land and this was the beginning of the community of Rock Hill. Rock hill is located at the intersection of Virginia Parkway/Rock Hill Road and Preston Road. This was a bustling community in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Later on in the series, we will learn move about the community of Rock Hill. Also, John Collins located about two miles east of Rock Hill in 1850. This was later called the Collinsbrook Farm/ Henry Barlow Place. The house and barn are still standing and can be seen from Virginia Parkway/Rock Hill Road. The original house and barn burned and these were rebuilt in the 1930’ and 1940’s. This land has been owned by the same family since 1850. M. C. Talkington settled about one mile east of the current town of Prosper (on First Street) in the 1850’s. His son, Horace M. Talkington, was born on this farm in 1859. George T. Parvin settled about two miles east of Rock Hill (near the Collinsbrook Farm) in 1856, but moved in 1880 to a farm he purchased near the current town of Prosper. The farm was located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 380 and La Cima (northeast corner). In 1859, Jesse Field and his wife, Martha Ann, settled on a farm west of Rock Hill. James “Jim” Bell settled on a farm about one half mile east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 380 and Preston Road. The Ben Renison family settled in Rock Hill in 1853 and the Reverend J. E. McElhannon moved his family west of Prosper near the Zion Church in 1866. One thing to keep in mind is that this was barren land with prairie grass and the town of Prosper was not founded until 1902 when the railroad came through this area.
Photo provided Photo provided by:by Alfordhomes.com Alfordhomes.com
Bill hays is the author of 2 books, which document the history of prosper: prosper texas: it’s history and families, volumes i and ii. To purchase a book, please contact bill hays at: Billhays@prodigy.Net or 972-569-9062.
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