Team All in the Family wins Rockwall County Historical Foundation’s ‘most successful FUNraiser in years’

ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX (Nov. 21, 2014) Back when cotton was king in Rockwall County in the 1920s, how many farms were there in the county? How many cotton gins? Where was the first cotton gin located in the county? Which ranch in Rockwall County owned its own chapel?

Folks attending the Blast to the Past Trivia Contest benefitting the Rockwall County Historical Foundation learned the answers to all of those question and quite a bit more interesting facts pertaining to the county’s history during the RCHF’s fall FUNraising event, which took place at the Rockwall High School Cafeteria Annex on Thursday night.

The contest saw three research teams consisting of some of Rockwall’s top officials and business individuals quizzed on several topics relating to Rockwall County history, including agrarian heritage, municipal progress and lake lore. Attendees were invited to come and show support for their team by making pledges for each correct answer and donations in their name.

Team All In The Family, comprised of Captain Lucinda Rogers, Jackie Pullen and Diana Chapman, took first prize with 32 points and $1,820 raised. The Rockwall Rockettes, comprised of Captain Dana Macalik, Kristen Minth and Nancy Archibald, earned second with 30 contest points and raised $1,663. Claiming third place was Team JFND – Captain Billy Self, Justin Holland and Linda Duran – with 26 points and $668 raised. Acting as Judge was David Rakow, and Mayor David Sweet served as moderator for the contest.

“This was the most successful RCHF fundraiser in recent years,” said Carolyn Francisco, RCHF president. “It surpassed our expectation on every level. The event was full of good natured fun, and friendly competition, and I would say everyone that attended learned something about the history of Rockwall County they did not know. I think you call that a win-win. It was a blast!”

Guests were treated to some MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) prepared and served by the Rockwall High School’s award-winning Culinary Arts Department prior to the trivia contest, and could also purchase a deck of Rockwall County playing cards featuring 56 historical images of the county for $10.

And if you want to know the answers to the questions, there were 1,000 cotton farms and 18 cotton gins in the county during the 1920s; the first cotton gin was located in Locust Grove; and the Zollner Ranch operated its own chapel.

Here’s one that understandably stumped everyone in attendance of the trivia contest: what profitable business gained importance after the Open Range Era ended?

The answer: the selling of bois d’arc seeds.

And just for fun, what does JFND stand for? (Hint: Jacket Fight ____ ____ )

Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer and reporter. 

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