Interested in researching an area while I have time on my hands. Old town called Cedar Hill that is on a homestead now. Met the owner and discussed the site. Three Cemeteries on the property, found the old public school site. There was an old Grist Mill on the site that's no longer there. Would love to locate its site. An old African American cemetery that's location is no longer exactly known, but their outbuilding site is known. If I wanted to research more about this site, where would y'all recommend I start?

I found this online and have ordered the referenced books. https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvcaw

Where could I get old surveys?

Jaydoug said:

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Interested in researching an area while I have time on my hands. Old town called Cedar Hill that is on a homestead now. Met the owner and discussed the site. Three Cemeteries on the property, found the old public school site. There was an old Grist Mill on the site that's no longer there. Would love to locate its site. An old African American cemetery that's location is no longer exactly known, but their outbuilding site is known. If I wanted to research more about this site, where would y'all recommend I start?

I found this online and have ordered the referenced books. https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvcaw

Where could I get old surveys?

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Link will take you to 1988 USGS Topo Tommelson Creek is in lower let quadrant.

Gay Hill Topo - Tommelson Creek

1911 Gay Hill Topo Tommelson Creek in lower left.

1911 Gay Hill

1988 Brenham Topo
1988 Brenham

What current community is in near? Tommelson Creek feeds into New Year Creek north of Brenham.

William Penn is not near Tommelson Creek. Road 57 is also called Cedar Hill road and passes near the creek. I also have enjoyed finding old forgotten sites. Couple years ago I found my 5th great grandfather's old homestead by asking neighbors in the area. I got lucky and found a older gentleman that was feeding cattle and he remembered the homestead. I was looking for Grimes Prairie and the Jessie Grimes homestead. It was called Monument hill by him and still had the State Monument placed in 1936.

How are you finding those old topos? The t.u. site has old topos for every state EXCEPT Texas.

Rabid Cougar said:

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What current community is in near? Tommelson Creek feeds into New Year Creek north of Brenham.

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It's on Cedar Hill Rd, between Tommelson Creek Rd and Griifin-Loesch Rd.

Jaydoug said:

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Rabid Cougar said:

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What current community is in near? Tommelson Creek feeds into New Year Creek north of Brenham.

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It's on Cedar Hill Rd, between Tommelson Creek Rd and Griifin-Loesch Rd.

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Was the Mill where Thomas Creek joins Tommelson Creek?

tmaggies said:

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Jaydoug said:

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Rabid Cougar said:

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What current community is in near? Tommelson Creek feeds into New Year Creek north of Brenham.

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It's on Cedar Hill Rd, between Tommelson Creek Rd and Griifin-Loesch Rd.

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Was the Mill where Thomas Creek joins Tommelson Creek?

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No idea

Rabid Cougar said:

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1911 Gay Hill Topo Tommelson Creek in lower left.

1911 Gay Hill

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This one shows the convergence of Tommelson and Thomas Creeks. No black dot showing a building there.

I do know the raised bed of the foundation and the old steps to the schoolhouse next to the road are still there and it is south of where Tommelson a Creek crosses Cedar Hill rd. https://maps.apple.com/?ll=30.238620,-96.421652&q=Marked%20Location&_ext=EiYpu8r2xO87PkAxo80Uc1IbWMA5t3VCfTw+PkBBf0/yFqgaWMBQBA%3D%3D&t=h

Google Earth Link


https://earth.app.goo.gl/4CF3ij
#googleearth

Also know the oldest German farm in Washington county is the old Eichholt farm, house built ca 1860. They were there in 1820s I think. It's right across the road next to the mansion across from old schoolhouse site/steps. Cedar Hill community was all around there.

So, this is the 1879 map of Washington County, zoomed into the section where Tommelson Creek and Thomas Creek converge. John Allcorn was the owner, Elijah Allcorn is the father. Rich Andrews would be the other survey I'd need to see if the Gristmill is located on it. Oh, yeah, Stephen F Austin's property was just to the north.

How do y'all think I find these surveys?

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth89048/m1/1/zoom/?resolution=1.3274892648496162&lat=2787.362951562001&lon=4564.280305688947

First stop, the Texas General Land Office in Austin.

They have some limited on-line resources too.

CanyonAg77 said:

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How are you finding those old topos? The t.u. site has old topos for every state EXCEPT Texas.

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Try this.

Rabid Cougar said:

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CanyonAg77 said:

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How are you finding those old topos? The t.u. site has old topos for every state EXCEPT Texas.

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Try this.

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That was my point. It has everything BUT pre-1945 Texas

http://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/topo_us.html

Your link has a few pre-1945, but not many.

Try this one. USGS Historical Topo Map tool
Link

Lots of pre-1945.

Thanks. It appears that the areas I want to see, mainly in the Texas Panhandle, just don't go back any further than mid-1950s.

CanyonAg77 said:

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Thanks. It appears that the areas I want to see, mainly in the Texas Panhandle, just don't go back any further than mid-1950s.

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You may want to try this. It has some from 1893 out on the south plains.

UNT

Thanks! Will check it later

Try this. Great resource:

https://texashistory.unt.edu/

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks.

This 1871 map shows two buildings on the John Allcorn survey, one where the school was, but no buildings across the road where I know the Eichholt farm is. Wish I could get a cleaner / sharper version.

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth89047/?q=tex-land