BENBROOK
History
THE INTER-WAR YEARS Benbrook’s population was estimated to be 33 people in both 1920 and 1930
and the community had two stores. Other nearby communities in the 1930s
included Chapin (25 voters), Wheatland (population of 40 and a school),
Plover, and Primrose. One of the earliest buildings remaining in Benbrook is the
Eddie Brustrum House at 8204 Old Benbrook Road, which was originally constructed
about 1891 as the Methodist parsonage. The Corn House in far southwest Benbrook
(11555 Highway 377 South) was built
about 1919 by James Corn, a rancher
who owned more than 55,000 acres.
John Stevens, for whom Stevens Road
is named, was foreman on the Corn
Ranch. Alex Wallace purchased the
“Old Benbrook Home” property along
Old Benbrook Road in 1921. Sometime
between 1921 and 1923, Alex and his
brothers built two rock houses on the
property. The rock house located at 8216
Old Benbrook Road was occupied by
N.E. (Nancy) Wallace, their mother. To
Wallace served as the mail carrier. The
American Legion Paul Mansir Post 297
nearby at 8201 Old Benbrook Road was
originally constructed in 1933 as the
Benbrook Church of Christ. Stoneworker
P.A. King of Aledo reportedly supervised
construction. The one‐lane Mary’s
Creek bridge was constructed in 1922
by the County using railroad rails for
the structural span. In 1993, the bridge
was removed by the Texas Department
of Transportation to construct a larger,
safer bridge. The Methodist Church
built a new building from 1929 to 1931,
in Greek Revival style, with funding
from members and from rancher
Cass Edwards, who felt the Building
Committee’s original plans were too
small. The building had a sanctuary
upstairs and classrooms in the basement
and its own electric light plant. Bishop
H.A. Boaz officiated at the opening with
Rev. Floyd Thrash serving as pastor. The
building was later used by the Benbrook
Pentecostal Baptist Church when the
Methodists moved to a new location
on Bryant Street in 1957. The Baptists
and two other congregations met in
a building erected on a one‐acre plot
donated by Z Boaz. Many imposing
homes were built in the area during the
the east of that house, located at 8212
Old Benbrook Road, the second rock
house was constructed for F.E. (Frank)
Wallace, Alex Wallace’s’ brother. All
three homes are no longer standing.
F.E. (Frank) Wallace and brother, M.N.
(Dick) Wallace, were co‐owners of
Benbrook’s general store and post office.
The general store/post office is believed
to have been in operation from the
1920’s until it was sold around 1939.
F.E. (Frank) Wallace became postmaster
on November 30, 1921. M.N. (Dick)
68 BENBROOK AREA Chamber of Commerce | MEMBER DIRECTORY & COMMUNITY GUIDE