Wichita County Historical Commission

Our new Marker Minute talks about Booker T. Washington School in Wichita Falls.

Booker T Washington School Join the Wichita County Historical Commission for Marker Minutes. H...

Hear the story of nationally recognized hero, Charley Coe, of Burkburnett's Boomtown ear.

Charley Coe: A Boomtown Burkburnett Story #history, #burkburnett Join the Wichita County Historical Commission for Marker Minutes. H...

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, is the name given to Emancipation Day by African Americans in Texas. On that day in 1865 Union Major-General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 to the people of Galveston. It stated:
"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere."
Large celebrations on June 19 began in 1866 and continued regularly into the early 20th century. African Americans treated this day like the Fourth of July, and the celebrations contained similar events. In the early days, Juneteenth celebrations included a prayer service, speakers with inspirational messages, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, stories from former slaves, food, red soda water, games, rodeos, and dances.
In many parts of Texas, freedmen and women purchased land, or "emancipation grounds," for Juneteenth gatherings. Examples include: Emancipation Park in Houston, purchased in 1872; what is now Booker T. Washington Park in Mexia; and Emancipation Park in Austin.
On Thursday, June 17, 2021, after unanimous passage in the United States Senate and subsequent passage in the House, President Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Many states, including Texas, have long recognized Juneteenth, but only some observe it as an official holiday. This bill makes Juneteenth a national holiday.
From The Texas State Library and Archive Commission

Here is our latest Marker Minute honoring Ralph O. Harvey, Jr.

Ralph Harvey, Jr #history #wichitafalls Join the Wichita County Historical Commission for Marker Minutes. H...

We honor the memory of the Greatest Generation and a defining moment in World War II.

Here is our latest Marker Minute on Youtube.

Burk Burnett and John Hardin #history, #burkburnett, #wichitacounty Join the Wichita County Historical Commission for Marker Minutes. H...

We are proud to be among the 62 County Historical Commissions selected for this award.
West Texas Historical Association Texas Historical Commission Preservation Texas Times Record News

Thanks, News Channel 6 KAUZ. We're proud of the recognition.

Wichita County Historical Commission earns distinguished service award for the fourth time The Wichita County Historical Commission has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award for the fourth time.

The Simon Peter Hawkins House in Burkburnett, Texas, was included in Preservation Texas' 2026 Most Endangered Places List.

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We've often said, "You never know what you will find in the Wichita County Archives." Today was one of those days. Among the many papers give to the Archives by Louise Kelly, this picture was found. This young woman, aged 29, was very well known in Wichita Falls.
CAN YOU NAME HER?
Colorization provided by Archive wizard, John Yates.

HINT: She helped her husband manage their store.