Wheelock, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wheelock
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Old Cavitt Log Cabin, official Historic Texas landmark in Wheelock
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 Wheelock, Texas
Location in Texas
Wheelock, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Robertson |
| Elevation | 436 ft (133 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 979 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1380767 |
Wheelock is a small place in Texas, United States. It is called an "unincorporated community." This means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. Wheelock is in Robertson County, Texas. It is about 15 miles northeast of Bryan. It is also 11 miles southeast of Franklin. You can find Wheelock on Farm to Market Road 46 and Farm to Market Road 391. It is part of the larger Bryan–College Station area. Wheelock is about 436 feet above sea level.
Contents
History of Wheelock
How Wheelock Started
The town of Wheelock was planned in 1834. It was founded by Colonel Eleazer Louis Ripley Wheelock. He was the grandson of Dr. Eleazar Wheelock, who started Dartmouth College. The new town was built near Dunn's Fort. This fort helped protect early settlers in Robertson's Colony.
Eleazer L. R. Wheelock first wanted to name the town after Mirabeau B. Lamar. Lamar was a president of the Republic of Texas. But in 1837, the community was named after Wheelock, Vermont.
Early Growth and Importance
In the 1830s, Wheelock was considered for important roles. People thought it might become the capital of Texas. It was also considered as a possible location for the University of Texas.
In the 1840s, Wheelock grew a lot. It became a center for raising cattle and growing cotton. It was one of the most famous towns in Central Texas. A post office opened in Wheelock in 1846.
Wheelock as a County Seat
In 1850, Wheelock became the county seat of Robertson County. A county seat is the main town where the county government is located. However, Wheelock lost this title in 1856. The county seat moved to Owensville.
Why Wheelock Declined
Wheelock started to become smaller in the 1860s. This happened because the railroad did not go through the town. Many people moved to Hearne. Hearne was a nearby town that had a railway station. In 2000, about 225 people lived in Wheelock.
Famous People from Wheelock
William T. "Bill" Moore was born in Wheelock in 1918. He later became a State Senator in Texas. Some people called him "the father of the modern Texas A&M University."
Fun Facts About Wheelock
Wheelock in Movies
The movie The Sugarland Express tells a story based on real events. Some of these events happened in Wheelock.
Naming Hearne, Texas
The town of Hearne, Texas was named after a person from Wheelock. This person gave land for Hearne's railroad station.
