Traveling through Tolar

On the road between Granbury and Stephenville in southwestern Hood

Site of Antioch

County is Tolar. This is another of those tiny Texas towns that was settled because of stage couch routes and the railroad.  The stage route from Tolar to Fort Worth provided transportation for the residents of Antioch to these two cities. Now within the city limits of Tolar, Antioch was the site of the last Indian fight in the county, the battle of the Point of the Timbers or the Battle of Lookout Point, in September 1869. Organized settlement of Antioch began in the 1870s, when ranches were established at the head of Stroud's Creek, making this town about twenty years older than Tolar.



Tolar opened its first post office in 1890 and because of the tracks laid by the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railway became a trade center for the

Tolar Tabernacle

farmers and ranchers in the area within ten years. The town also boasted a blacksmith shop, a gin, and general store, as well as churches and an elementary school. In the late 1890s the Tolar Tabernacle was built with moneys donated by all of the churches in the area. Although the community built and owned the tabernacle, trustees from local church congregations were managed the tabernacle association. This open-air construction was the site of revivals, and other religious meetings that took place in the warmer times of the year. The Tabernacle was also used for fairs, homecomings, picnics, reunions, weddings, and other community events.

By the middle of the 1920s, six other businesses had been established in

Pastureland

Tolar, along with a newspaper, a bank, and a high school. Although the town was doing well, the Great Depression and World War II caused the population to go elsewhere in search of jobs. This decrease in population also caused the use of the Tolar Tabernacle to decline, but even today it is used as the site for community fish fries, and the annual Tolar School Homecoming. Since the 1980s Tolar has become a bedroom community with open areas for small farms, and pastures for horses and cows.

Three and one-half carrots

Before we took a drive down to Tolar, we met a friend in Granbury (see Grabbin’ Grub in Granbury) at Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant (1468 E

Left T to B: Menu, Taco combo, Chile Relleno
Right: Making guacamole

U.S. Hwy 377, Granbury, TX 76048, 817-279-0382). The chips were crisp and the hot sauce was pretty zippy. Bonnie ordered the guacamole that was made at the table by a very nice young lady – and the guacamole was very good! Dave had a chile relleno that he really liked. Vince and I had the taco and enchilada combo; it was very tasty. Service was good and the prices were reasonable. This is a good place for lunch and if you come early, there’s no waiting. For information about my rating system, see Reading the Reviews.

Bonnie and Vince

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