"1874-1940s: Community bonds, ghost dog"s by Susie Sansom-Piper

Somewhere in the distance you could hear the little “Dinky” passenger train whistle blowing as the

train traveled its usual route between Waco and La Grange.

In Rockdale this meant it was either 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It was a timepiece for many who lived near

today’s FM 487 or White Street.

Rockdale’s blacks during this period were very proud of their origin, their performances and their

contributions. Even in the early 1900s ambition was evident as many families struggled to send

their children to Paul Quinn College (Waco) or to Prairie View Normal & Industrial College.

Many parents sent their children to beauty or barber schools. Many became teachers, telephone

operators, beauticians, barbers or operated small businesses.

Most of the people during this time were home owners. Homes were heated by tin or iron heaters that

turned coal or wood. These were usually located in a central room which usually served as a family

sitting room and a bedroom.

Outhouse, coal oil light

Restroom facilities consisted of a wash basin, No. 3 tub for bathing and an outhouse. A coal oil

lamp furnished light during the night.

When the mid-1940s arrived, electricity and sewage became available to all.

There were very few automobiles, few buggies or wagons, but the lack of conveniences did not deter

people from going to their jobs as janitors or maids and from attending church functions on Sundays

and during the week.

Walking was a way of life so, regardless of the distance or time required, we walked!

There were many little grocery stores scattered about in the various sections of the community.

“The Flat” boasted three stores on the same street.

Speedyville was accommodated by the Menn store and Williams grocery store.

The Menn store was located on the spot where city maintenance equipment is kept and the Williams

store was a half-block away on the corner of what is now Boga Street.

Ghost dog

McVoy Grocery was very accommodating to black citizens during this time for many could purchase

groceries on credit and pay later. It was the oldest operating grocery store in the downtown area.

Many legends remain from those times. It was said, on certain nights, you did not dare to walk

between the streets where the Dinky tracks and Menn’s store were located. There was supposed to be

a ghost, in the form of a black dog, that frightened those who encountered him.

There was also a trail in the Old City Cemetery used as a short cut for children attending the

nearby Aycock school. They didn’t mind using it during the day but would not venture into the

cemetery at night.

“We see ghosts walking around the cemetery,” the children would say.

Water tower

At the main entrance to the cemetery a water tower once stood. Its foundation is still

there. Children were afraid to venture near this tower because they thought it was

leaning and would fall on them.

The tower was a source of water for the community. Most families had barrels and would

haul their water from the tower, as water lines did not yet exist, or kept a barrel at a

corner of the house to catch rain water.

A grist mill once stood in the center of the street near the water tower. People took

dried corn ears and would have the corn ground into meal for cornbread.

Many early black Rockdale settlers are buried in the southern end of the cemetery.

During these years no one really had beautiful green lawns and elaborate shrubbery but

managed to keep “well swept” yards and in the spring and summer planted Zinnas around

their porches.

There was a neighborhood bond where everyone would share food or clothing, correct one

another’s children or report their misbehavior to their parents.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, PART 1

1874-1940s: Community bonds, ghost dogs

by Susie Sansom-Piper

Rockdale Reporter - February 5, 2009

Piper checks out circular brick

base of long-gone water tower at

entrance to Old City Cemetery.

Photos by Mike Brown

Piper and grandson

Jerome Hebert visit site

of former McVoy Grocery,

a business that still

bears the McVoy name.

Susie Sansom_Piper at Old City Cemetery water tower - Rockdale, TX

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