Source: "Acorns and Branches" SWTGS Quarterly Volume II, n. 3, - March 1987 Pg. 7-9

by Annalee Wentworth Burns

The Utpoia Methodist Church, which is just west of the Utopia Community Center, was established in 1866 as part of the Uvalde-Kerrville Mission, Uvalde Circuit. The pecan grove back of the Church was the scene of many pioneer camp meetings under brush arbors. The first of these was held in 1868 by the Reverend Andrew Jackson Potter, Civil War chaplain and circuit rider. The gothic-style sanctuary was built in the 1890's with church members, one of whom was doubtless George Sam Harper, doing much of the work. Land for the church was given by the Reverend Irving Jones and Richard H. Kincheloe. Heart cedar shingles and cedar block were used; native cedar was also used to make the frames for the gothic windows. Evidence of the presence of George Sam Harper in this undertaking was left when he carved the initials of himself and his sweetheart, Bessie Wentworth, in the belfry. The marker dedication took place in 1967 after we had received the plaque. [The plaque from the Texas State Historical Commission commemorating this an historic building.]

Old Rock Store - If the stones could talk, what a wealth of history they might divulge! This historic first business house in Utopia was built in 1873 for Richard H. Kincheloe by stone mason Joe Hastler, who built many of the community's first structures. According to oral tradition, it was once a saloon; at one time coffins were sold at the store; the post office was in the building. The upstairs was used as the residence of the Kincheloe family. At one time when the Reverend Porter was scheduled to speak, some rough boys of the community thought it would be fun to frighten him by firing on him. Potter immediately fell to the ground and returned their fire, scattering the rascals albeit without harm to either side. Later the building was used for community affairs; even though there was no heat nor water in the building, the women of the community served dinners from it. The building bears the initials of dating couples over the years. In 1904 business courses were held in the building, offering instruction in shorthand. When World War I veterans returned, a welcoming dinner was served on long tables outside the store. It was also used as a collection area for wool and mohair.

Old Waresville - On your way to Utopia you passed the marker for old Waresville, which was received in 1962 after the Uvalde County Historical Commission, of which I am proud to have served as the first chairman, had been organized. Waresville was the first non-military colony in Uvalde County. It was founded in 1852 by Captain William Ware, a veteran of San Jacinto. Ware built the first cabin home, which still stands in a field just north of the two-story rock home now the residence of Ware's great grandson, Harold Donoho, and his wife. Other early settlers who came by ox wagon to Sabinal Canyon. A little settlement grew around the Ware cabin, including the first post office established in 1856. Charles F. Durbon was the first postmaster and a semi-weekly mail and stage service between Waresville and D'Haines was established. Stage fare to D'Haines was $2.00. In 1884, Waresville's population was 200 and the community boasted two flour mills, a cotton gin, two churches, and a district school. Cotton, wool, and livestock were shipped from the area.

Historic Waresville Cemetery was established in 1853 at the death of Captain Ware, who was buried in a rock vault to protect his remains from Indian depredation. A rock home of native stone was built nearby by John Ware, son of Captain Ware. This home was partially destroyed by fire in the 1930's, but the rock walls on the north and south were left standing. Joel Fenley built a home near the cemetery, and parts of this home still stand. The Waresville Cemetery marker was dedicated in 1966.

Taylor School, hub of the thriving Taylor Community, is situated four miles above Utopia. Early in 1965 I began to call for recollections among my readers concerning the old Taylor School. Letters quickly started arriving. In 1968 I began to ask for money from former students there. I believe Grace and Sterling Fisher were the first to respond, and the marker was purchased with these contributions. Founded in 1883, the school was named for Henry Taylor. He, Gideon Thompson, and other early settlers gave land and established the school. The first one-room building had homemade benches and recitation desks. After it burned, two additional buildings were erected before it consolidated with Utopia in 1937. In the diary of Jobie Anglin, he tells how the school got along money-wise. Anglin, as a trustee in 1899, paid out $1.00 for cleaning the well, $4.00 for two cords of wood; $50.00 went to J. F. Robinson, who was principal for nearly 30 years. A (tame) black bear visited school one day. Children walked or rode for miles to attend school, bringing their lunches in buckets containing molasses, biscuits, homemade butter and sausage. Extra curricular activities included 8-ball croquet and basketball. Female members of the basketball team wore black bloomers, containing four yards of cloth, bloused at the knee with an elastic band. Beth Crane Davenport has a pair of these black bloomers. In addition to its educational use, Taylor School was used for Sunday school classes and for music lessons.

Utopia marker - After an Indian raid in 1866 on their nearby Little Creek home, Richard H. Kincheloe built a home and a two-story rock store in 1873 which was the first business house in Utopia. Kincheloe then platted the town as Montana and gave land for churches, schools, and community squares. The post office was moved from Waresville in 1883. The Methodists held church in the Kincheloe home and under brush arbors before the town was founded. Baptists organized in 1886, and the Church of Christ relocated here from Waresville in 1902. The new name Utopia, praising the climate, was chosen by Postmaster George A. Barker. Stores and shops were built. The town is now a center for ranching, retirement, hunting, and vacationing. In 1884 Utopia had Anglin & Barker General Store, Biggs Flour Mill, Dr. Donnelly as its physician, G. B. Duke as blacksmith, C. F. Durbon General Store, Gin & Grist Mill, O. A. Fisher of the Methodist Church, Rev. Bush of the Christian Church, John Harper  of the Methodist Church, Mittel & Matthews blacksmiths, and James Pluck furniture store.

Old Kelley Home - marker dedicated in 1966 on the old Joe Kelley ranch about 6 miles below Utopia. There was once a marker arrow on the ranch entrance gate but it fell victim to vandals. Laban Kelley, who arrived in 1852, was the first Kelley to come to Utopia. His home in Waresville shows him to have been born in the late 1700's and to have died in 1852. His sons Joe and Chris stayed on. Chris first settled a mile above Utopia and finally near Sabinal. Joe bought several thousand acres, six miles below Utopia, from Luisguida Grandee, a French land syndicate. The old Joe Kelley ranch house, now 121 years old and the oldest home extant in the Canyon, still stands with its original picket fence and is owned by Joe's great great granddaughter, Eloise Kelley Evans, and her husband. Riley Kelley, son of Joe, stayed on the ranch from the beginning.

Jones Cemetery marker was dedicated in 1985. In 1889 the Rev. Irvin Jones deeded two acres of land on his homestead to the Utopia Methodist Church for use as a cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth, had been buried under the oaks in the center of the 2 acre site at her death in 1886. Early settlers of the Utopia and Taylor Communities are buried here, as are several Civil War and World War I and II veterans and veterans of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Ben Highsmith, Mexican War veteran, a Texas Ranger, and the last messenger out of the Alama, is buried in Jones Cemetery. Also resting here are the Reverend O. A. Fisher, pioneer Methodist preacher, and George Barker, the teacher credited with naming Utopia.

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