Quakertown, Denton, Texas facts for kids

Quakertown was a special town in Denton, Texas. It was built by people who had been freed from slavery.

History of Quakertown

In 1875, 27 families who had been freed from slavery came to Denton. They bought land south of the town square. Here, they started a new community called Freedman Town.

Fred Douglass School Opens

Denton's first school for Black children opened in 1878. It was called the Fred Douglass School. This school brought more Black families to the area. Because of this growth, the community moved to a new spot near Pecan Creek.

This new place was named Quakertown. It was named after the Quakers. Quakers were a group of people from the northeast. They helped end slavery and supported freed people during a time called Reconstruction. This was when the country was rebuilt after the Civil War.

Life in Quakertown

By the 1880s, Quakertown had many businesses. There was a grocery store, a barbershop, and a doctor's office. The town also had churches and community groups.

Most people in Quakertown worked outside the town. Some worked for white families as cooks or gardeners. Others worked at the universities in Denton. By 1900, over 500 Black people lived in Denton. Most of them likely lived in Quakertown.

The Fred Douglass School burned down in 1913. It was rebuilt in 1916. The new school was about a mile from its first spot.

Why Quakertown Was Moved

In 1903, the College of Industrial Arts opened. Today, this school is Texas Woman’s University. The college was very close to Quakertown.

College Wants Quakertown Gone

The college president, F.M. Bralley, wanted the school to be officially recognized. He thought Quakertown being so close was stopping this from happening.

In 1920, Bralley started to push for Quakertown to be moved. He said that moving the "negro quarters" would help the college. He believed it would remove a "danger" and could be done peacefully.

A New City Park

For years, people in Denton had talked about building a city park. In December 1920, the Chamber of Commerce announced a plan. They wanted to create a city park where Quakertown was. This would be paid for by a special vote for $75,000.

On April 5, 1921, the vote passed. This meant the people of Quakertown would have to leave their homes. In July 1922, a new place was chosen for them. It was 21 acres in southeast Denton called Solomon Hill.

Some Quakertown residents left Denton completely. Those who moved to Solomon Hill faced challenges. They had to rebuild their community from the start.

Quakertown's Lasting Legacy

The story of Quakertown became well-known in the 1980s. This was thanks to local historians. Since then, many efforts have been made to remember the town's history.

Remembering Quakertown Today

The park built on the old Quakertown site was once called Civic Center Park. In 2006, its name was changed to Quakertown Park.

In 2008, one of the original Quakertown homes was moved. It was fixed up and became the Denton County African American Museum. This museum helps people learn about the history of Black people in Denton.