Eastland, Texas

Welcome to Eastland, a town in the center of Eastland County Texas. Eastland was organized in 1874 and credit is given to C. U. Connellee. Eastland is well known for several things: the oil boom in 1917 which made the first county seat Merriman famous because it would not sell the church and its land for a million dollars for drilling rights, a horned toad being placed in the corner stone of the courthouse and being found alive when it was opened 31 years later and named Old Rip (he even visited President Calvin Coolidge), and the hanging of the Santa Clause Bank Robber by the local townspeople.

Today the town of Eastland is being beautified by the large paintings done by local and student artist and placed on the buildings around town. They are there for all to see and enjoy. Other talented artists are being invited to contribute their works of art for this purpose. At the present time the town is working together to build a community center in downtown just a couple of blocks from the courthouse.

The Eastland County Courthouse was built in 1928 and is today a thing of beauty. Much of the original material can be found inside its walls. There are also more memories of the past with the records that can be found inside the offices of the county clerk, tax assessor-collector and the district clerk offices. Many trials have been conducted and still are conducted on a regular basis with there being three courtrooms. There have been a couple of murders committed inside the building. Some of the very first records of our schools are stored inside. A person could spent many hours of just looking and reading. This is a great place for the genealogist to visit if they have roots in this county. The early voting takes place in the community room of the court house.

The Majestic Theater once know as the Connellee is once again in operation after several years of being silent and dark. This also was a work of the combined efforts of many of the townspeople. Much of its original beauty has been preserved and it is the site of many live shows and performances including some of the high school graduations.

The Eastland Hospital was built in about 1953 by the efforts of local laborers and donated materials. It has been instrumental in saving many lives and bringing help and comfort to many people. Within its walls are rooms for doctors from other locations to see patients and do outpatient work. There is a physical therapy room for those who have had surgery or accidents. It is a welcome site for those in need.

There are all denominations of churches in this little town with less than 4000 population for people to worship in the manner they feel best fits their needs. Many of the churches are places of beauty inside and out.
The thing I like most about my town is the response of its people to those who have needs they cannot meet alone. Most of her people are those who live quiet, peaceful lives and perform acts of kindness and concern on a regular basis. This is a town that had worked together to perform many good thing that give joy and peace. Eastland is not perfect, yet if you weigh the good and the bad of the town, the good will tip the scales in its favor which is the right direction.

Welcome to our town, come to visit and you might also find it is an excellent place in which to live.

Wanda S

Submitted: Wednesday 7th April 2004, 6:27 AM

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