along the much straighter FM 46. Zively placed the survey post for OSR Marker #43 where FM 46 intersects Highway OSR.
Founded in 1834, Wheelock became one of the most prosperous and well-known towns in central Texas in the 1830s and 1840s. It declined almost out of existence in the latter half of the 19th century, especially after the Houston & Texas Central railroad bypassed it in 1868, but it partially rebounded in the 20th century. It had 225 people in 2000.
The area southwest of Wheelock was settled by James and Isabella Dunn, who were part of a group of Irish settlers who arrived in Robertson County in 1833.1 A grave on their homestead where they buried their infant child became a local cemetery. The Dunn home, also known as Dunn's Fort, served as a defensive position against raiding Indians. A road to the original Dunn home site, where the cemetery still exists, is called Dunns Fort Road, and is found halfway between OSR Marker #43 and OSR Marker #44. Zively indicated the intersection of the Old San Antonio Road and Dunns Fort Road with the drawing of a house labeled "Geo. Dunn's Home." The area is still occupied by the Dunn's descendants.
The majority of the Irish settlers who arrived with the Dunns in 1833 settled further southwest in a community they named Staggers Point. The word "stagger" is said to be synonymous in the settlers' dialect with "striver," as in "one who is determined to succeed." According to a state historical marker at the site of OSR Marker #45, Staggers Point was "about a mile north" of the marker. It might have been on Campbells Creek or Walker Creek.
Staggers Point, the first town in Robertson County, had a wild reputation for drinking, gambling, gunfighting, and con men. In 1868, the Houston & Central Texas Railroad went through Robertson County about two miles to the west of Staggers Point. Staggers Point relocated and became the town of Benchley. Benchley had about 100 to 150 residents when Zively passed by in 1915. Its population has been reported as 110 since 1968.
Page last updated: May 19, 2014
1Mr. Dunn's first name is sometimes given as George, and his year of arrival is sometimes given as 1832.