One of the Newton County Historical Commissions goals is upgraded computers to place digitized material online. This would also allow for an upgraded website. Newton County History could then be shared worldwide. We will continue to look for grants and means to make this possible. The county is rich with wonderful pictures, videos, written materials and more!
Newton County History Center hopes you will enjoy what we have selected for your viewing pleasure. We proudly bring the museum to you, in part so you can enjoy learning about Newton County’s history in the comfort of your home.
Wier Long Leaf Lumber Company, Wiergate Texas
Display Opening
Submitted by Terri Woods, NCHC Administrative Coordinator
The Newton County Historical Commission
unveiled a display made possible by a Humanities Texas Grant.
The Wier Long Leaf Lumber Company was located in Wiergate, just north of Burkeville, Texas in North Newton County. This display provides the visuals of the harvest days gone by of the long leaf pine: virgin forests. It represents a time dating from 1918 beginning with R.W. Wier and T.P. Wier being contracted to harvest nearly 86,000 acres. Some of the trees had attained colossal sizes due to their ancient status. It closed in 1945 on contract by the Lutcher and Moore heirs to cut all merchantable timber.
The display tells of life in Wiergate during this boom time and boasts many original photographs of the life in Wiergate, the virgin pine and the mill operation. Wiergate boasted its own post office, commissary, barber, and schools. It was a time within itself. As you stand before the Kiosk you are transported to a way of life never to be repeated.
As the date for unveiling the exhibit neared, contact information from the museum was used to try to reach one of the daughters of R.W. Wier. She had visited in 2018 with family to view the Wiergate display at that time. Her name was Withrow Wier Meeker McNamara. She was in her late 80’s. A genteel lady of dignity and charm. I can still see her in my mind’s eye. Smiling, showing family each mounted picture, giving details, as the pictures came alive for her. That phone call is when I found out “Mrs. Withrow” had peacefully passed away the day after Christmas, 2022.
The Wier descendants were present through Facebook live for the unveiling of the display February 16th, 2023. The Wier’s will be sharing photos the History Center does not have of that era to add to the display.
Pictured are Robert Wier McNamara and Pharr Smith, grandsons of R.W. Wier. The men visited the Newton County History Center Wier Long Leaf Lumber Company display, traveled to Wiergate to view the old mill site and a drove to see stand of long leaf pine.
We welcome you visit to the Newton County History Center Monday through Friday 8-4:30. Saturday by appointment. Contact us at 409-379-2109 or terri.woods@co.newton.tx.us
Display Opening
Submitted by Terri Woods, NCHC Administrative Coordinator
The Newton County Historical Commission
unveiled a display made possible by a Humanities Texas Grant.
The Wier Long Leaf Lumber Company was located in Wiergate, just north of Burkeville, Texas in North Newton County. This display provides the visuals of the harvest days gone by of the long leaf pine: virgin forests. It represents a time dating from 1918 beginning with R.W. Wier and T.P. Wier being contracted to harvest nearly 86,000 acres. Some of the trees had attained colossal sizes due to their ancient status. It closed in 1945 on contract by the Lutcher and Moore heirs to cut all merchantable timber.
The display tells of life in Wiergate during this boom time and boasts many original photographs of the life in Wiergate, the virgin pine and the mill operation. Wiergate boasted its own post office, commissary, barber, and schools. It was a time within itself. As you stand before the Kiosk you are transported to a way of life never to be repeated.
As the date for unveiling the exhibit neared, contact information from the museum was used to try to reach one of the daughters of R.W. Wier. She had visited in 2018 with family to view the Wiergate display at that time. Her name was Withrow Wier Meeker McNamara. She was in her late 80’s. A genteel lady of dignity and charm. I can still see her in my mind’s eye. Smiling, showing family each mounted picture, giving details, as the pictures came alive for her. That phone call is when I found out “Mrs. Withrow” had peacefully passed away the day after Christmas, 2022.
The Wier descendants were present through Facebook live for the unveiling of the display February 16th, 2023. The Wier’s will be sharing photos the History Center does not have of that era to add to the display.
Pictured are Robert Wier McNamara and Pharr Smith, grandsons of R.W. Wier. The men visited the Newton County History Center Wier Long Leaf Lumber Company display, traveled to Wiergate to view the old mill site and a drove to see stand of long leaf pine.
We welcome you visit to the Newton County History Center Monday through Friday 8-4:30. Saturday by appointment. Contact us at 409-379-2109 or terri.woods@co.newton.tx.us
NOW the book about the man that was the first presiding Chief Justice of Newton County and so much more.
Black History Month 2023
Mr. White has the student's attention as he encourages them to make good choices, be careful the people they associate with for they will become them and definitely stay away from drugs.
He also said prejudice is primarily learned and a matter of the heart. 
Pictured Left to Right
Elisabeth Fowler-Student Liaison, Lillie White(mother of Phillip), Commissioner Phillip White Pct.2, Kai'loni Duhon (Granddaughter of Phillip and Debra), Debra White (Wife of Phillip) 
Lillie White age 94 in 2023. Direct descendant of Jim and Winnie Shankle. Land purchased by the past slave family accumulated to over 4000 acres over time.
Commissioner Phillip White, Pct. 2 speaking to a class of students at Newton High school during Black History Month 2023. Mr. White relayed his mother's history as well as grandparents and great grandparents on through to the documented history of his relatives Jim and Winnie Shankle.
Mr. White told of his time of growing up, working hard in large crop fields or whatever needed to be done for the family. He told of being taught to be respectful of his parents and adults and church attendance was not optional. |
Heritage Calendar 1986 “Newton County Niches and Notches” – Brotherhood
By Pam Wright This month’s calendar highlighted the Shankleville Community. Shankleville began as a rural community. It was founded by Jim & Winnie Shankle and Stephen McBride in 1867. The Shankle-McBride Clan were the first African Americans to purchase land in the county. The community was named after Jim & Winnie and was one of ten freedmen settlements established in the county following the Civil War. At its peak, there were about 75 families living in Shankleville. It had schools, churches, cotton gin, saw mill, sugarcane mill, store and a blacksmith. Shankleville’s Texas Historical Marker was dedicated on Aug. 5, 1973. Stephen McBride gave land for and built a school and cemetery. The McBride College operated from 1883 to 1909. The school also served as a community center and town hall. During the summer, teachers came to Shankleville to attend training conferences and seminars at the college. The college also hosted to revivals featuring traveling preachers. In 1941, Shankleville held its first annual homecoming the first weekend of August. The tradition continues to this day. The Shankleville Historical Society was founded in 1988 to preserve Shankleville’s heritage, document its history and publicize its legacy. The Society started hosting Shankleville’s annual Texas Purple Hull Pea Festival in 2014. The festival celebrates cultural traditions in agricultural and food related to the Southeast Texas region and specifically to the Shankleville community. Walking tours, food venders, and contests such as the fastest pea pickers and shellers are part of the fun festivities. The 2023 festival is being held on Saturday, July 24. This year’s live music is blues artist Diunna Greenleaf with Derwin Daniels. For more information visit texaspurplehull.org . Important days on the 1986 February Calendar were Feb. 7 – The election in 1853, moved the County Seat to Newton from Burkeville also the County Court levied a tax rate of ¼ of 1% on all property. Feb. 8 – The Commissioners Court set rates for Hudson’s Ferry, Burr’s Ferry and Hickman’s Ferry the same price as charged on the Louisiana side of the Sabine River. Feb. 10 – In 1848, the Act of Texas Legislature set the County Seat on land donated by John R. Burke and named the town Burkeville. Feb. 14 – George Gee was appointed Postmaster of Call TX in 1901. Feb. 20 – The second license to operate a ferry across the Sabine River was granted to Steel and Barker in 1849. Feb. 22 – In 1842, a patent of land was given to Wm. H. Stark by President Sam Houston. Feb. 24 – In 1904, John C. Gee was appointed Postmaster of Call TX. Be sure to visit the museum’s new display honoring Wiergate TX – a prime example of a lumber company town. The History Center’s normal hours are 8:00-4:30, Mon-Fri with the exception of county holidays. It is wise to call 409-379-2109 to confirm the History Center/Museum is open as scheduled. Other Resources: en.wikipedia.org and shankleville.org Not Pictured
Geri White-Rowe (Daughter of Lillie White, Sister to Phillip) Geri was unable to be present for student speaking but has provided the following links. Texas Country Reporter Interview with Phillip White ad Lareatha Clay https://youtu.be/2ZthWszFpJM Shankleville 150 Years (experiences) https://you.be/Tw2GNek0hZg Texas Freedom Colonies Extensive research has to take place due to African American history not being documented. https://youtu.be/XRkd0t6-I1M |
UNDER CONSTRUCTION:
Watch for more to come.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Pictures
Documents
Oral Histories
Watch for more to come.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Pictures
Documents
Oral Histories