Officials, community celebrate 150 years of Rockwall County
Dec. 27—Community and business leaders joined numerous local politicos and other officials on Dec. 16 to recognize Rockwall County's history by celebrating the newly named Sesquicentennial Plaza with a special ceremony that besides the customary speeches included the burial of a time capsule.
Sesquicentennial Plaza is located between the Rockwall County Library and the Rockwall County Courthouse and pays tribute to the 150-year history of the county, which was founded in 1873 — carved out of a small section of land from another county.
Rockwall County is the smallest county in Texas but economically plays much bigger than its size as one of the wealthiest per-capita income counties in the state.
Rockwall County covers only 147 square miles of land. In the early 1800s, the area was occupied by Caddo Indians. The Creek Indians began to arrive and as they spread the two tribes were in conflict. When the 1st Anglo-Americans arrived sometime in the 1840s they found these Indian groups at war among themselves.
In 1836, the area was established as part of Nacogdoches County and when Texas joined the Union in 1845, it was included in Henderson County. Kaufman County was formed in 1847 and the region now known as Rockwall County was placed in Kaufman County. Residents thought the county seat of Kaufman was too inconvenient and in 1873, Rockwall County was formed.
In the early 1850s, farmers digging a well discovered a rock wall that crossed the county and at some places appeared above ground level. Scientists have determined this is a natural formation but folk tales continue to say it was built by prehistoric natives. When the town of Rockwall was formed, it was named for the rock formation.
The Dec. 16 festivities were hosted by the Rockwall County Historical Foundation and Museum and members of the public were invited to contribute items for the time capsule or simply ideas for what to bury in the capsule that will remain buried and unopened until 2048.
Among the items put in the time capsule were a thumb drive and police patch from the City of Fate, a Christmas ornament and an empty water bottle with a letter about water shortages from the City of Heath, a Texas Monthly article about Mobile City, a yearbook from the City of Rockwall, challenge coins from the police and fire departments in Royse City and a map of the city, police and fire challenge coins from the City of Rowlett and a Texas Rangers cap and grocery list with current prices from the RCHF.
Other items included a letter to the residents of the county from Judge Frank New, a map of Rockwall County, a Rockwall parks and recreation Fun Guide, a yearbook from Rockwall ISD, a homecoming ribbon and letter from Royse City ISD and challenge coins from local politicians Justin Holland, Pat Fallon and Bob Hall, along with a 2023 proof coin set from Dr. Stanley B. Scott Jr.
The event also included an art competition featuring students from Rockwall ISD and Royse City ISD.
Funding for the Sesquicentennial Plaza project was provided by the Rockwall County Commissioners Court and from local sponsors.
