Tarkington Prairie, Texas facts for kids

Tarkington Prairie is a mostly rural community in northeastern Liberty County, Texas, United States. It covers a large area of about 238 square miles (616 square kilometers). Local services like fire protection, emergency medical help, and law enforcement are provided by the Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department, Liberty County EMS, and Liberty County Sheriff's Office.

History of Tarkington Prairie

The area we now call Tarkington Prairie was first settled in 1826. That's when the very first settlers bought land from the Mexican government. These early pioneers became ranchers, raising cattle on the flat, wooded land that used to be an open prairie.

Early Settlers and Community Names

The community is named after one of these first settlers, Burton Tarkington. He is buried in McGinnis Cemetery. There's even a special historical marker in front of the Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department to remember him.

Important Historical Markers

Tarkington Prairie has four other historical markers that tell us more about its past:

• At the Old Wells Store, located where State Highway 321 meets County Road 2274.
• At Ryan Cemetery on State Highway 321, close to County Road 300.
• In front of Oak Shade Baptist Church on County Road 2212, also known as Oak Shade Road.
• Near Tarkington Intermediate School on FM 163.

The Story of Oak Shade Baptist Church

Oak Shade Baptist Church started on July 4, 1857. In July 1857, two missionaries, David Fisher and B.L. Wright, came to the Oak Shade community. They began holding church services in a small log house. This log house also served as the community's school. Today, church officials say the original school site was a few miles from the church's current location. The first building is long gone.

Key People in the Church's History

Many important families helped start the church. The Burton Tarkingtons, who moved from Indiana in 1827, were one of these families. Burton Tarkington is often said to be the first white person to settle west of the Trinity River in Liberty County.

Moses and Daniel Donahoe came to Texas from Mississippi. Their land grants were approved in 1835. It seems that Daniel Donahoe gave the land for the Oak Shade Baptist Church and Cemetery. Jordan West, from Mississippi, also applied for a land grant. William Hardin, a judge for Liberty, recommended him.

Spencer Kirkham, born in North Carolina, got his land grant in May 1835. He moved to the community as a widower with five children. Later, he married Mrs. Margaret Brown. He became a justice of the peace in 1837. A justice of the peace is a local official who handles minor legal cases and keeps the peace.

Andrew Jackson Isaacks was born in Mississippi. He fought in the Texas Revolution in 1835. After moving to Tarkington Prairie, he became the first postmaster there. A postmaster is in charge of a local post office. He is buried in Oak Shade Cemetery and has a historical marker on his grave.

The first pastor of Oak Shade Baptist Church was Reverend Austin Ellis. His family settled in Liberty County in 1836. He was the church's pastor from 1857 to 1860. He usually preached only once a month. He also served as a pastor for another historical church, Concord Baptist Church, near Rye.

In 1867, Reverend D.D. Foreman became the pastor. He continued his work until 1872. Church records mention that Foreman helped save Native Americans in East Texas. They were suffering from hunger and sickness. He organized a wagon train to bring them to Liberty County around 1851. They settled on the Trinity River. Later, they moved back to East Texas to a government reservation.

Challenges and Growth Over Time

The 1870s were tough years for Oak Shade Baptist Church. The period after the Civil War, called Reconstruction, made life very hard for early settlers. Also, a new church, Rural Shade Baptist Church, started in the area. Many members left Oak Shade Baptist Church to join the new one.

In 1881, after two years without a pastor, Oak Shade Baptist Church got a new boost of energy. A small, one-room building was built for the church. This small building was near where the church stands today. Twenty-five years later, a new, taller white church building replaced it. This new building meant the church could be separate from the school. There was a different building just for the school.

In 1918, a flu epidemic caused the deaths of several church members. They were buried in the cemetery behind the church. Twenty more years passed before the church needed new construction. In 1939, the old church building was taken down, and a new one was built.

In 2005, Oak Shade Baptist Church was named the "East Texas Best Church." This was decided by readers of local newspapers in four counties.

Learning and Education in Tarkington

Schools for students from kindergarten through 12th grade are provided by Tarkington ISD. After high school, students from Tarkington ISD can attend Lone Star College. This college was formerly known as North Harris-Montgomery Community College.

More About Tarkington Prairie

• Tarkington Prairie, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department