Pipes Farm History - 12600 FM 916

Map of 12600 and 12700 FM 916:

Barn at 12600 FM 916:

[PHOTO OF FRONT]

Was on the property when Charlie Pipes bought the farm, though Charlie added the sheds on the side. Charlie used the barn to store ear corn and bailed hay for his livestock. The tin siding was added by Charlie, but the tin roof hasn't been replaced since the barn was built, and Kenneth Pipes said that the roof tin is most likely over 100 years old. The lumber currently stored in the barn loft is from an old house at the "North Place" that the help used to live in (located on CR 206).

Hog pen at 12600 FM 916:

Built in 1957 by Kenneth Pipes, made in high school for raising hogs. Used it until he went out of the hog business in the early 1990s. Kenneth took his hogs to sell in Ft. Worth, Newhoff packing plant in Dallas, and Columbia packing in Dallas. 

Destroyed in 2008, vacant since early 1990s. 

Windmill:

Windmill and well was here when Charlie Pipes bought the farm. Circa 1880. About 80 feet deep.

Pecan Trees:

Several pecan trees that are __ years old.

Ponds:

Three ponds. One dried up, source was spring. Charlie Pipes dug the pond at 12700 FM 916 out of a gully. One time the dam broke and you could hear the water gushing out up at the house. They had to rebuild the levee once the pond was empty.

Chambers Creek:

Old Bridge:

CR closed during WW2.  County discontinued maintenance on it because it wasn't as necessary, automobiles people could driver farther. Bridge was dismantled for scrap in 1950s.

Auburn in Ellis County

Auburn (from this site) 

Auburn was located sixteen miles southwest of Waxahachie in western Ellis County. About 1852, a caravan of 105 wagons came from Arkansas and chose that location because of the plentiful water supply from the nearby North Fork of Chambers Creek , the flat and tillable land suitable for crops and livestock and the good climate. Henry Files opened a general store.

In 1863 Reaiz (or Rezi) Jarvis Banks deeded land to the trustees of the Methodist Church to be used as the site for a church, school and cemetery. The community's name first appears on that deed. Martin P. Nation bought Eureka, a retired world champion short horse, to Auburn for breeding and at one time a racetrack was located half a mile from the general store.

By 1890 the community had a population of 290. Ten years later, businesses included two cotton gins, a corn mill, blacksmith shop and two grocery stores. Four church congregations met regularly - Methodist , Baptist , Presbyterian and Disciples of Christ. A two-story building, McCarver Chapel, housed a grade school on the first floor and a Masonic lodge on the second.

A post office opened Aug. 27, 1877 with Columbus G. Alford postmaster. Others who served in that capacity were: Henry C. Carnes Nov. 3, 1879; James W. Wylie Sept. 8, 1884; Henry J. Townsend Jan. 14, 1885; Isaac N. Morris Sept. 21, 1886; Quincy A. Hearne Jan. 28, 1889; Henry C. Carnes July 1889; Harvey J. Townsend July 13, 1890; John B. Ingle Feb. 12, 1896; Samuel C. Harrell, April 30, 1901; James Rollen Nov. 28, 1903; and Thomas M. Maureka Dec. 15, 1904. When the office closed Oct. 5, 1906, the mail was sent to Maypearl. Auburn School

By the 1940s, Auburn had only one business, a school, church and a few widely scattered dwellings. The 1968 population was reported to be only twelve. At present, the only landmarks are an old store building on the highway west of Maypearl at the turnoff to the cemetery and the cemetery. On April 11, 1978, a state historical marker for the cemetery was dedicated as a result of research and documentation done by Cloyd F. Stiles, a great-grandson of Rezin Banks.

Sources: Ellis County, Texas Cemetery Records, Vol. I ECGS,; 1981; Edna Davis Hawkins et al, History Workshop,

History of Ellis County, Texas, Waco, Texian Press, 1972 Marker Files, Texas Historical Commission, Austin, Texas "AUBURN, TX." The Handbook of Texas Online. 

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