Mark in Texas History: Dewberry Plantation

SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) – As you may think about, again within the 1800s, East Texas regarded very completely different, however you may make a journey again in time on the Dewberry Plantation.

The 1854 mansion, named for Colonel John Dewberry, is a uncommon surviving instance of the structure from that point interval that may nonetheless be discovered proper right here in East Texas.

It was 1835 when John Dewberry got here to East Texas. The warfare of 1812 veteran from Georgia settled on Saline Prairie, in what would develop into Smith County. He turned a profitable businessman and cotton farmer in Tyler.

After the creation of Smith County in 1846, Dewberry was considered one of 5 males appointed by the Texas legislature to find the boundaries for Smith County and the brand new county seat of Tyler.

In 1854, Dewberry constructed his dream house on practically 30,000 acres close to Teaselville. It additionally served as headquarters for his massive cotton plantation. The primary Dewberry home was named “Myrtle Vale” due to the lengthy walkway flanked by majestic crepe myrtles resulting in the house.

Myrtle Vale is the one authentic two-story, pre-Civil-Warfare home nonetheless standing in Smith County. The uncommon antebellum residence remained within the household till 1908.

These are simply a few of the causes the Texas Historic Fee awarded the Dewberry Plantation a historic marker again in 1962.

Victoria and Ken Poppelwell purchased the plantation in 2004 and decreased it to 5 acres. The mansion is now open for excursions, receptions and different occasions.

To today, the plantation is impeccable, and the grounds are manicured — an important backdrop for a marriage or only a picnic.

If you happen to’d wish to test it out, the house is at FM 346 simply south of CR 1353. The historic marker is on the entrance porch of the home.

When you’re within the space, you may take a look at Dewberry’s grave. He’s buried within the Loftin cemetery on the intersection of FM 344 and 346. It’s distinctive that his plot has what is named a “grave home” protecting his raised tomb.

Copyright 2022 KLTV. All rights reserved.