Greenwood, Wise County, Texas facts for kids
Greenwood is a small, unincorporated community located in Wise County, Texas, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live together, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of the larger county.
History of Greenwood
Early Settlers
People first started settling in the Greenwood area as early as the 1850s. Local stories say that the Greenwood and Hart families were some of the very first people to live here. The community was named after the Greenwood family, and a nearby creek was named after the Hart family.
Growing Community
As more people moved to Greenwood, the community began to grow. Businesses, churches, a cemetery, and a school were built. A Post Office opened in 1877, making it easier for people to send and receive mail. In the early 1890s, a town well was dug by John Karr Berry, providing fresh water for everyone.
At its busiest, Greenwood had many different shops and services. These included grocery stores, drug stores, a hotel, a bank, a hardware store, a barber shop, and a blacksmith shop. There was also a cotton gin, which helped farmers process their cotton. The community even had its own newspaper, the Greenwood Gazette.
An important part of Greenwood's history was the Greenwood Male and Female College. Even though it was open for less than 20 years, this college offered a good education to the young people of the area.
Community Life
For over 100 years, Greenwood has been a central place for local farming communities to get supplies. It has also been a hub for social and religious activities. Today, three churches serve the Greenwood area:
- Greenwood Baptist Church, which started around 1872 as Hart's Creek Missionary Baptist Church.
- Greenwood Methodist Church, founded around 1880.
- Greenwood Church of Christ, established in 1896.
Education
Students living in the Greenwood area attend schools within the Slidell Independent School District.
