One of the few remaining structures in Dallas that dates to early Texas statehood stands safe and sound in far southwest Oak Cliff.
Just five years ago, that wasn’t quite the case.
The Sharrock cabin was built in 1847 on land that belonged to the Peters Colony; the Republic of Texas had granted the colony more than 600 acres near where Spur 408 meets Grady Niblo Road today.
The Sharrock family built this cabin, and the land later was owned by Judge Grady Niblo and, after his death, by his son. In 2005, a holding company bought 78 acres of the land, including the Sharrock cabin, which was donated to the City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department.
The cabin and a barn were in bad condition, and preservationists worked to shore it up. Advocates worked to restore the cabin and worked to make it a designated historic landmark.
From City Councilman Scott Griggs (his original district included the cabin, but it since has been drawn out):
Settlers constructed the log cabin, hand-dug well, root cellar and log barn in 1847. The site and its historic structures have exceptional historic significance, because they represent one of the few sites with intact structures that date from the first years of Texas’ statehood. Importantly, the structures have remained on its original site.
The cabin and its structures are also of historic significance because of their association with Everard Sharrock Jr., a Peters’ colonist. Those colonists were among the early settlers in Dallas County – some arrived shortly after John Neely Bryan established Dallas as the first permanent settlement in 1841.
On behalf of the City of Dallas, I would like to thank the Texas Historic Commission. The Dallas County Historical Commission, Dallas County Commissioners, The Dallas Park and Recreation Department, Grady Niblo Estates, the Sharrock family, and the Young family.
