History

Terrell began as a “depot town” along the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company’s new transcontinental line from Longview (in East Texas) to California.

In 1873 a consortium of landowners led by Robert A. Terrell, an early pioneer and surveyor in the area, donated 100 acres to the railroad company in exchange for a depot on the rail line. The town was organized around this original town site and another 100 acres to the north owned by Terrell and his partners.

The railroad town grew rapidly, incorporating in 1874 with Col. J.W. Elder as the first mayor. When the town re-incorporated under new Texas law in 1875, it boasted more than 1,000 residents. Churches were organized almost immediately and public schools opened ten years later. A state facility for the care of the mentally ill was established here in 1883.

Railroads again became important shapers of local history in the 1890's, when Terrell became the headquarters of one of the nation’s most prosperous short line railroads, the Texas Midland Railroad, with Col. E.H.R. “Ned” Green as president.

Green, son of the �witch of Wall Street� Hetty Green (at the time the richest woman in America), was a colorful character, as well-known for his personal exploits as for his business acumen. Ned Green made the first automobile trip in Texas, a jaunt from Terrell to Dallas, at speeds of 20-25 mph. He also suffered the first auto accident in Texas. During the Dallas trip, Green and auto company representative George Dorris were crowded off the road by a farm wagon and ended up in a ditch!

By 1920, the Terrell State Hospital, with 2,300 patients, was the largest facility of its kind west of the Mississippi. Terrell was the commercial center of the county, and the downtown main street was crowded every Saturday as farm families came to town to trade and visit. Cotton reigned as the cash crop in rural areas surrounding the town. During this period more cotton was shipped from Terrell than from any other single place in the world.

During World War II a British Flight Training School (#1 BFTS) opened at the southern edge of the city. The airfield and its buildings provided sites for post-war industries, the beginning of the industrial diversification Terrell enjoys today.

Historical sites

Terrell Heritage Museum
207 North Frances St.
972-524-6082
Open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Wed, Thur and Sat., 1 - 4 p.m. Sun., or by appointment, free admission

The Terrell Heritage Museum, operated by the Terrell Heritage Society, houses memorabilia from the #1 British Flying Training School, early railroads, and the institutions and people that contributed to the city�s history and cultural heritage. The museum is housed in the 1904 Carnegie Library.
 

R.A. Terrell House, Bowser Circle

The R. A. Terrell House (c.1860-65) on the campus of Southwestern Christian College was one of the city�s first homes. The home of city founder Robert A. Terrell, the house is one of twenty surviving Round Houses in the U. S. It is both a state and national historic landmark. (Interior not open to the public.)
 

L. E. Griffith House, 805 First St.

The L. E. Griffith House (c. 1880) is a fine example of early Texas architecture. It was one of the city�s early homes and was owned by the same family for five generations. It is recognized as both a state and a national historic landmark. (Interior not open to the public.)

Porter Farm, 1 mi. north on FM 986

Porter Farm is the birthplace of the U. S. Agricultural Extension Service. Established in 1903, this �demonstration� farm became the model for agricultural extension programs throughout the nation. The farm is both a Texas and National Historic Landmark. 

Historical tours

Visitors are invited to travel back in time on a Terrell Historical Tour.