Phillip A. Dalby Homestead
DeKalb vicinity, Bowie County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In Dalby family since 1841. On land given Dalby by Republic of Texas. Original room (northeast part of house) is of oak logs pegged together. Logs and floor boards were hand-hewn. By 1856 Dalby had 8 children. House, then enlarged, was scene of singings, socials, quiltings, logrollings. Teachers boarded here. Freighters camped in yard. Passed to Phillip Dalby's son, A. J., 1872; his grandson, Clyde N., 1927. Remodeled in 1948. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The Dalby homestead has stayed in one family since 1841, built on land the Republic of Texas granted to Phillip A. Dalby. Its oldest room is hand-hewn oak logs pegged together, the floorboards worked by hand; by 1856 Dalby was raising eight children under its enlarged roof. The house rang with singings, quiltings, and logrollings, boarded the local teachers, and gave passing freighters a yard to camp in, passing down through son, grandson, and beyond.
Why it matters
A living link to the Republic of Texas land grants, the Dalby homestead shows how a frontier log cabin doubled as school, inn, and community hall in the settling of East Texas.
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Related people
- · Phillip A. Dalby
Themes & tags
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