From defensive octagonal houses to training British pilots
In short: Nestled 32 miles east of Dallas, Terrell, Texas, began as a frontier outpost. Once defined by a defensive 'Round House' and a railroad boom, this Kaufman County city later became a vital hub for international aviation during the Second World War.
The Texas and Pacific Railroad's 1873 expansion marks the beginning of Terrell. Robert A. provided the town's name. Terrell, a pioneer settler whose property featured a unique octagonal structure known as the 'Round House.' Built to provide better defense against Native American attacks, this home was notable for being the first in the county to feature glass windows. The structure remains preserved today on the campus of Southwestern Christian College, one of only 20 such buildings in the United States. The town was officially incorporated in 1875. By 1899, the arrival of the first automobile marked a new era of mobility for the community.
The town's history contains complex social layers. In 1892, Terrell functioned as a 'sundown town,' a community that largely prohibited African Americans from residing there. However, the landscape shifted significantly after World War II. In 1949, the Southern Bible Institute acquired the old Terrell Military College grounds to found Southwestern Christian College, a private, historically black institution linked to the Churches of Christ. The city's population reached 17,465 according to the 2020 census. Most of these residents, approximately 94.9%, live in urbanized areas.
During World War II, Terrell played a global role in aviation. It hosted the No. 1 British Flying Training School, the first of six civilian flight schools in the U.S. dedicated to instructing pilots for the British Royal Air Force. This international training effort followed a concept used during World War I near Fort Worth. Today, the Terrell Municipal Airport houses a museum dedicated to this era, commemorating the history of the school and the airmen who trained there. The museum at the airport even honors four RAF airmen who lost their lives in a crash over the Kiamichi Mountains. Every October, the city hosts a large-scale reunion and air event to celebrate this shared history.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Terrell, Texas
- Also: Wikidata — Terrell · CC0
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