Rendon Church stands as a testament to faith. It reflects community spirit in the heart of Rendon-Retta. This area began as Crossroads Community. Joaquin Rendon, a Spanish-Mexican resident, received the first land grant.
Do you know how Rendon got its name? It comes from Joaquin Rendon’s land grant. The survey bears his name and is in southeast Tarrant County. The community’s heart formed around land given by W.L. Norwood in 1897.
Norwood’s gift was for a cemetery, a school, and a church. This act highlights the early settlers’ values. They prioritized community, education, and faith.
Retta’s name origin is also interesting. It is said to honor the wife of an I.G.&N. Railroad supervisor. Rendon and Retta have always been closely linked. Residents see them as one community.
Education was crucial to early settlers. Schools appeared quickly. Children had to attend. Eldorado was the earliest school. In 1907, it joined Rendon School. Rendon School met in the church. A two-room school was built in 1911. W.A. Norwood and his wife Julia sold the land. The school expanded as the population grew.
Rendon and Retta’s churches were diverse. Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ and Assembly of God congregations existed. Every summer a singing school united the community. It lasted twenty days.
Wash Norwood’s store was a business hub around 1895. It housed a post office and a doctor. Dr. McNairn boarded with Norwood in 1899. Rendon once had a cotton gin and the Maxwell Syrup Mill. Retta’s business district was platted and sold between 1905 and 1907. It covered an acre. The railroad right-of-way was signed in 1902.
After World War II, Rendon’s business grew. Earl Jones built a garage for car repairs. Lendon and Gwen Sheffield opened Lindys cafe. There was a feed store and skating rink next to the cafe. Marvin Berry started a TV repair shop.
Retta had various grocery stores. The oldest was a two-story building deeded to Frank Thornton in 1907. His brother-in-law Tom Widener co-owned it. The Woodmen of the World held meetings on the second floor.
Neighbors formed a volunteer fire department on July 1, 1954. Men fought fires. Women formed an auxiliary. They carried water drove trucks and raised funds.
Retta thrived due to its cotton gins. It once had three. The flag station in Retta collected all the cotton.
Community, school and church defined Rendon-Retta’s activities. Today, Rendon-Retta remains a growing community. It sits west of Mansfield on F.M. 1187. Rendon Church stands as a reminder of Rendon-Retta’s past. It symbolizes community. It embodies enduring faith.