1. invite you on this journey through the
best kept secret in east Texas, Wills Point!
Celebrate our heritage, the past that set us on our
course and the foundation for our future…
Discover today’s treasures of entertainment, shopping
and dining that make us a heritage tourism
destination…
Share our excitement as we engage in unique, fresh
opportunities that will inspire you to share our vision…
WE WON’T BE A SECRET ANYMORE!
2. Wills Point has a small town charm that
attracts thousands annually to
the historic brick streets!
Below: The Caboose, located on Hwy 80, is a
welcoming testament to the importance of our
heritage.
Left: The Rose Monument was donated to the
community by I.E. Rose, the younger brother
of B.W. Rose. The monument has tiers of
basins for plants, a center projection that
extends to a height of about 12-15 feet and
attached to the projection are four light posts.
3. Did they realize
as they laid each
brick they were
laying the
foundation that
our future would
be built on?
4. Wills Point was built
around the Texas &
Pacific Railroad….
There have been 3
depots built to date. The
existing depot was built
in 1927 and now houses
the Depot Museum
6. RETAIL SHOPS, many in our historic
downtown business district…
Country Junction Quilt Store
Our retail district includes dining and
shopping in one area with both nationally
recognized brands and family owned stores.
The Greenhouse & Nana’s Corner
7. Fine Dining…
Four Winds Steakhouse is
located off of I-20 near Wills
Point, TX. Located on a beautiful
1,100 acre East Texas
ranch, Four Winds Steakhouse
has built its reputation on
serving the finest steak with the
best service in the most serene
of locations.
Verona’s Italian
Cafe
Fine Steaks, Quality Seafood and Great
Service in an Upscale Rustic Atmosphere
Fine Italian Dining
in a Warm, Inviting
Ambiance
on the bricks.
8. Wills Point also has all the services
to provide for the needs of a business or a family…
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Vision Care
Family Dental
Chiropractic Services
Realtors
Legal Services
Electrolysis & Massage Therapy
Salons & Barber Shops
Assisted Living & Rehab
24 Hour Fitness Center
Insurance Services
Electronics & TV Repair
Auto sales & service
Churches
9. Wills Point is
proud to be the
Governor George Bush signing the proclamation.
BLUEBIRD CAPITAL
OF TEXAS
The Texas Legislature
declared Wills Point the
Bluebird Capital of Texas on
February 7, 1995
following the National
Audubon Society’s
determination that the
community has hosted more
bluebirds that any other area
in Texas.
Standing, left to right around the governor
are Flora Wilson, former Senator David
Cain, the late mayor Bobby Springer, Karen
Springer, Buz Craft, Billy Mark
Kinney, former Representative Bob
Glaze, Brexton Collins, Theta Martin and
Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace W. Ozelle
Wilcoxson.
10. COME ON DOWN
TO THE BRICKS…
for exciting activities
and events!
11. Brings thousands of visitors to
downtown Wills Point every
April during the nesting period
of the Eastern Bluebird.
12. Historic Highway 80 Car Cruise
This cruise takes a 4-city journey
along Historic Highway 80!
2014 date: March 29
13. FOR OVER 30 YEARS
Wills Point Riding Club
UPRA RODEO
3RD Saturday in July
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15. Wills Point High School
student cover art on
2012 Texas Kids
Aviation
Art Calendar
2013 Improvements include:
6,000 gallon 100LL Avgas
Construction of
Terminal Building
16. Our PREMIER Halloween Event
“BOO” on the Bricks in October
Costume Contests for Kids and Pets
Art’s & Crafts, Baby BOO and Stew” Cook-off!
Trick-or-Treat & Big Kids, TOO Swap.
17. Christmas on the Bricks
Arts & Crafts
5K Reindeer Fun & Pet Run
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT &
Annual Christmas Parade
Classics on the Bricks
Car Show
5k Reindeer Run
19. Located just 10 miles north of
Wills Point on FM 47, Lake
Tawakoni offers 376 acres with
more than five miles of shoreline
and a variety of
activities, including
swimming, fishing, boating, mount
ain biking, geocaching, hiking and
21. The PRIDE of Tigerland…
WPHS Marching Band
UIL State Marching Award Winners!
Award winning tennis program.
Above: Tennis complex that
includes a new tennis facility
built in 2010
WPHS Baseball/Softball Park
@ Lester Park
24. Pam Pearson, Administrator
P. O. Box 217
Wills Point, TX 75169
Office 903-873-3381
Cell 214-803-5621
Email
EDC Board of Directors:
President
Paul Sharp
Vice President
Tom Mitchell
Secretary/Treas. Dyde Manning
Board Members:
Rick Johns
Mark Turner, Mayor
25. The City of Wills Point
City Hall
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Wills Point is located on historic Hwy. 80 approximately 38
miles east of Dallas from 635 (LBJ Freeway) and 45 miles N.W.
of Tyler via I-20
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Wills Point Population - 2010: 3524
Population of Van Zandt County outside any city proper:
37,482. Wills Point businesses serve more than 10,000 residents.
26. 2013 Wills Point Chamber of Commerce
Executive Board
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Treasurer
Bobbi Byford, TVEC
Greg Ellis, Fairway Shoes
John Frazier, Attorney
Board of Directors
Doug Bass
Stan Brown
Dean Ouimet
Mary Russell
Becky Thompson
Kipp Wingo
Tina Rosamond
Sherry Scott-Moore
Royce Pollard
Bass Productions
City Barber Shop
Lone Star Grill
Crestwood
Edward Jones Investments
Van Zandt Animal Care Center
Murrey Motors
Century 21
My Credit Union
Chamber Staff
Jennifer Ross
President
Chamber Volunteer
Gene Epperson
Contact the Chamber:
Mail:
PO Box 178
Wills Point, Texas 75169
Phone: (903)873-3111
Email: contact@willspointchamber.com
Web:
www.willspointchamber.com
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28. The Majestic Theater
In 1926, the theatre building was built to show the silent movies that were all the
rage. Probably the most memorable thing during the silent picture days was the orchestra
that won fame in our area providing musical accompaniment to the films. The orchestra
played until talking pictures took over the screen in 1928. The first talking picture shown
her was “The Girl From Woolworths” starring Alice White. It was the longest
continuously operated movie house in Texas.
29. Rose Dry Goods Store
Rose Dry Goods was established in 1873. It was originally in the Cedar Grove
Community before it was relocated to the present site when the railroad came
through Wills Point. B. W. Rose, the founder of the business, was a Jewish
immigrant who came to America from his native Germany when he was 16 years
old. The original building was a wood structure, but was bricked using bricks made
south of Wills Point. There is no true record of the date of the building, but it is well
over 100 years old. B. W. Rose died in 1922.
30. Wills Cabin
In 1848, a man named William Wills, the namesake of our city, came to
Texas from Tennessee three years after it was annexed into the United
States. He settled on what was then titled “Government Vacant Land”
owned by the state and obtainable by settlers living on a tract for 3
successive years. He was the first settler to come here and built his
home, a wood cabin, at the point of timber between the Sabine and Trinity
rivers.
31. Bruce & Human Drug
It is the oldest family owned drug store in the state of Texas. Established by the late
B. W. Bruce, it still remains in the hands of his family. It has been located on this
corner since 1879.
32. The Green House
The building was built and commissioned to the board of trustees of the First National
Bank by the Howell family in 1895. The building is outlined by railroad tracks that the
walls are built on top of. This was to deter any would be burglars from tunneling
under the walls and into the bank. After the bank moved to another location, the
building served as a city office, and then the post office. Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Mayberry
bought the building in 1955, where they continued to operate the Greenhouse for over
40 years. The business is still family owned today.
33. Cotton Gins
At one time, there were eight cotton gins locally, and 26 county wide. The
Floyd Weeks Gin was the last working gin in Van Zandt County. The early
ginners, cotton buyers and warehousemen played a vital role in Wills
Point’s history, especially its economy.