Whitewright, Texas
Encyclopedia
Whitewright is a town in Fannin
and Grayson
counties in the U.S. state
of Texas
. The population was 1,740 at the 2000 census.
The Grayson County portion of Whitewright is part of the Sherman
–Denison
Metropolitan Statistical Area
, while the Fannin County portion is part of the Bonham
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 5.5 km² (2.1 sq mi). 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.47% is water,
, which was then extending its tracks across the county from Sherman to Greenville. Whitewright had the land surveyed as a townsite and left two of his agents, Jim Reeves and Jim Batsell, to sell lots in the new community. Likely due to the combination of its rail connection and its location in the center of perhaps the richest farmland in the county near the headwaters of the Bois d' Arc creek, Whitewright soon attracted settlers and businesses.
Within ten years of its founding the community had incorporated and supported a private school, Grayson College
, a public school, a newspaper, and several businesses, including three hotels, two cotton gins, and two banks. Jas. A Batsell also served as the first postmaster beginning on April 8, 1878. In 1885, Peter McKenna took over as Postmaster and was officially commissioned as a Whitewright post office on December 7, 1888.
By 1900 the population of Whitewright was 1,804. Although it declined slightly, to 1,563 in 1910 and 1,666 in 1920, the business community flourished. By the mid-1920s both the Missouri-Kansas-Texas and the Cotton Belt served the town, and sixty-eight businesses, including two banks and manufacturers of cottonseed oil and flour, operated locally. Whitewright served as a marketing, retail, and commercial center for the farmers of the surrounding area who produced such crops as cotton, wheat, and corn.
The population rose from 1,480 in 1936 to 1,537 by the late 1940s. The number of businesses, however, declined from sixty to forty-six. During the 1970s and 1980s seven factories, producing goods ranging from sausage to clothing to fertilizers, employed local workers. By 1989 Whitewright had twenty-six businesses, and in 1990 the population was 1,713. In 2000 the community had 1,740 inhabitants and 106 businesses.
, Saxony-Anhalt
, Germany
.
On April 19, 1945, American troops occupied Quedlinburg
. Various treasures of art were secured in a cave near the castle Altenburg. Meador was responsible for the security of the cave.
Meador, a soldier with good knowledge of art, recognized the importance of the treasures (among them being Gospel of Samuel and the Crystals of Constantinople
). He sent the treasures to Whitewright via army mail, and the art was placed in a safe at the First National Bank of Whitewright.
Meador died in 1980, and his heirs tried to sell ten pieces of Beutekunst (looted art
) on the international art market. After a long search and judicial processes, the art was returned to Germany in 1992 and were investigated because of damages to the pieces. At first those stolen artefacts were exhibited in Munich
and Berlin
but were finally returned to Quedlinburg in 1993. However, two of the pieces stolen by Meador are still in the United States at an unknown location.
of 2000, there were 1,740 people, 650 households, and 456 families residing in the town. The population density
was 830.0 people per square mile (319.9/km²). There were 732 housing units at an average density of 349.2 per square mile (134.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.36% White, 8.33% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races
, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.64% of the population.
There were 650 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,194, and the median income for a family was $42,292. Males had a median income of $31,852 versus $22,639 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,137. About 7.9% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.
, Julie Johnson, Keith Jackson, Larry Franklin,, and Benny Binion
Fannin County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,242 people, 11,105 households, and 7,984 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile . There were 12,887 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile...
and Grayson
Grayson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 110,595 people, 42,849 households, and 30,208 families residing in the county. The population density was 118 people per square mile . There were 48,315 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile...
counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The population was 1,740 at the 2000 census.
The Grayson County portion of Whitewright is part of the Sherman
Sherman, Texas
Sherman is a city in and the county seat of Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2009 was 38,407. It is also one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
–Denison
Denison, Texas
Denison is a city in Grayson County, Texas, United States. The population was 22,773 at the 2000 census; it is estimated to have grown to 24,127 in 2009. Denison is one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Sherman-Denison metropolitan area
The Sherman–Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county – Grayson – in North Texas, anchored by the cities of Sherman and Denison. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 110,595...
, while the Fannin County portion is part of the Bonham
Bonham, Texas
Bonham is a city in Fannin County, Texas, United States. The population was 10,127 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Fannin County. James Bonham sought the aid of James Fannin at the Battle of the Alamo....
Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Whitewright is located at 33°30′40"N 96°23′36"W (33.511136, -96.393400), primarily in Grayson County, with a portion in Fannin County.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 5.5 km² (2.1 sq mi). 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.47% is water,
History
The settlement was established in 1878, when New York investor and financier William Whitewright Jr. (b. 1815 - d. 1898), for whom his family name was the community named, purchased a tract of land in the path of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas RailroadMissouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad
The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad was incorporated May 23, 1870. In its earliest days the MKT was commonly referred to as "the K-T", which was its stock exchange symbol; this common designation soon evolved into "the Katy"....
, which was then extending its tracks across the county from Sherman to Greenville. Whitewright had the land surveyed as a townsite and left two of his agents, Jim Reeves and Jim Batsell, to sell lots in the new community. Likely due to the combination of its rail connection and its location in the center of perhaps the richest farmland in the county near the headwaters of the Bois d' Arc creek, Whitewright soon attracted settlers and businesses.
Within ten years of its founding the community had incorporated and supported a private school, Grayson College
Grayson College
Grayson College operated from 1887 to 1912 in Whitewright in southeastern Grayson County, Texas. It is not to be confused with Grayson County College, located in Denison, which was founded in 1964.- History :Grayson College was chartered in 1887...
, a public school, a newspaper, and several businesses, including three hotels, two cotton gins, and two banks. Jas. A Batsell also served as the first postmaster beginning on April 8, 1878. In 1885, Peter McKenna took over as Postmaster and was officially commissioned as a Whitewright post office on December 7, 1888.
By 1900 the population of Whitewright was 1,804. Although it declined slightly, to 1,563 in 1910 and 1,666 in 1920, the business community flourished. By the mid-1920s both the Missouri-Kansas-Texas and the Cotton Belt served the town, and sixty-eight businesses, including two banks and manufacturers of cottonseed oil and flour, operated locally. Whitewright served as a marketing, retail, and commercial center for the farmers of the surrounding area who produced such crops as cotton, wheat, and corn.
The population rose from 1,480 in 1936 to 1,537 by the late 1940s. The number of businesses, however, declined from sixty to forty-six. During the 1970s and 1980s seven factories, producing goods ranging from sausage to clothing to fertilizers, employed local workers. By 1989 Whitewright had twenty-six businesses, and in 1990 the population was 1,713. In 2000 the community had 1,740 inhabitants and 106 businesses.
Quedlinburg treasures
Whitewright was the home of US Lieutenant Joe Tom Meador, who after World War II looted several major pieces of art from a cave near QuedlinburgQuedlinburg
Quedlinburg is a town located north of the Harz mountains, in the district of Harz in the west of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In 1994 the medieval court and the old town was set on the UNESCO world heritage list....
, Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a landlocked state of Germany. Its capital is Magdeburg and it is surrounded by the German states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.Saxony-Anhalt covers an area of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
On April 19, 1945, American troops occupied Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg is a town located north of the Harz mountains, in the district of Harz in the west of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In 1994 the medieval court and the old town was set on the UNESCO world heritage list....
. Various treasures of art were secured in a cave near the castle Altenburg. Meador was responsible for the security of the cave.
Meador, a soldier with good knowledge of art, recognized the importance of the treasures (among them being Gospel of Samuel and the Crystals of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
). He sent the treasures to Whitewright via army mail, and the art was placed in a safe at the First National Bank of Whitewright.
Meador died in 1980, and his heirs tried to sell ten pieces of Beutekunst (looted art
Looted art
Looted art has been a consequence of looting during war, natural disaster and riot for centuries. Looting of art, archaeology and other cultural property may be an opportunistic criminal act, or may be a more organized case of unlawful or unethical pillage by the victor of a conflict."Looted art"...
) on the international art market. After a long search and judicial processes, the art was returned to Germany in 1992 and were investigated because of damages to the pieces. At first those stolen artefacts were exhibited in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
but were finally returned to Quedlinburg in 1993. However, two of the pieces stolen by Meador are still in the United States at an unknown location.
- A 2007 documentary of ZDF showed the path of robbing the Treasures.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,740 people, 650 households, and 456 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 830.0 people per square mile (319.9/km²). There were 732 housing units at an average density of 349.2 per square mile (134.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 87.36% White, 8.33% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.64% of the population.
There were 650 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,194, and the median income for a family was $42,292. Males had a median income of $31,852 versus $22,639 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,137. About 7.9% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
Notable residents of Whitewright include Kay KimbellKay Kimbell
Kay Kimbell was anentrepreneur and philanthropist, especially as benefactor of the Kimbell Art Museum.Born to Benjamin B...
, Julie Johnson, Keith Jackson, Larry Franklin,, and Benny Binion
Benny Binion
Lester Ben "Benny" Binion was a well-known American casino owner, mobster, poker enthusiast, and convicted felon.-Early history:...
Further reading
- Michael Fritz Johann: Aus Texas zurückgekehrt: der spätgotische Buchdeckel aus dem Quedlinburger Schatz. In: Denkmalkunde und Denkmalpflege (1995), p. 275-282.
- Friedemann Goßlau: Verloren, gefunden, heimgeholt. Die Wiedervereinigung des Quedlinburger Domschatzes Quedlinburg 1996.
- William H. Honan: Treasure Hunt. A New York Times Reporter Tracks the Quedlinburg Hoard. New York 1997.
- Siegfried Kogelfranz/Willi A. Korte: Quedlinburg – Texas und zurück. Schwarzhandel mit geraubter Kunst. Munich 1994.
- Emily Sano/David Kusin (Hg.): The Quedlinburg Treasury. Dallas Museum of Art 1991.
External links
- Whitewright Public Library
- Whitewright Chamber of Commerce
- Amon Carter Museum: Texas Bird's-Eye Views (Whitewright)
- Quedlinburg Art Affair at Handbook of Texas Online
- Treasures of the Dome of Quedlinburg (in German)
- The Whitewright Rose provides local news, history, marketing source for Whitewright and Texoma