Zaner Robison Historical Museum

10/07/2026

It is commonly believed that the tradition of the varsity letter jacket can be traced to 1865, when the Harvard University baseball team embroidered an Old English “H” onto a gray flannel shirt. Harvard players were awarded the “H” uniform based on their athletic performance. Thus, the letter sweater was born, eventually evolving into the letter jacket we recognize today.

At Royse City High School, the 1950s marked the height of the letter jacket’s popularity. Pictured here are members of the Class of 1957’s senior football team and cheerleaders on the day they were awarded their letter jackets. For these students, the jacket represented more than school spirit—it was a symbol of athletic achievement and an accomplishment to be proudly worn.

Historical information featured in this post is adapted from "Images of America: Royse City" by Sheri Stodghill Fowler. Copies of the book are available for purchase in the Rockwall County Historical Foundation Museum gift shop

09/25/2026

The Zaner Robison Historical Museum will be closed on Saturday, September 25. We apologize for the inconvenience.

09/21/2026

09/14/2026

Cottonseed is separated from cotton lint during the ginning process and was considered a separate crop because of its many distinct uses, including livestock feed, oil production, and fertilizer.

According to the Texas State Historical Association, cottonseed processing was one of the earliest large-scale industries established in Texas. By 1900, it had become the state's second most important industry in terms of the value of its products, surpassed only by lumber. By the end of the nineteenth century, Texas had become the nation's leading processor of cottonseed.

During this period, cotton mills relied on manually powered mechanical presses to extract oil from the seeds. The process was labor-intensive, and estimates suggest that, even under ideal conditions, it recovered only about half of the oil contained within the seed.

Pictured here is Bob Cross, a relative of the Cookston family, standing in front of the Cookston Seed Store, which was located on the southeast corner of Elm and Main Streets.

Historical information featured in this post is adapted from "Images of America: Royse City" by Sheri Stodghill Fowler. Copies of the book are available for purchase in the Rockwall County Historical Foundation Museum gift shop

08/26/2026

The Library will be closed Wednesday, August 26 through Saturday, August 29 due to ongoing repairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. No late fines will be charged during this time.

The blue book drop box on the side entrance of the library facing Church Street can be used to return materials. 📪

08/22/2026

The Zaner Robison Historical Museum will be closed today, Saturday, August 22. We apologize for the inconvenience.

08/14/2026

If you've seen our Billy Cook saddle at our museum, go and take a look at Rockwall's saddle, made by the man who taught Cook, George Vaught! 🐎

In 1926, Vaught Saddle Shop opened its doors in downtown Rockwall, beginning a legacy that would place the community on the map of the western leathercraft industry. With only $35 to his name, founder George Hatton Vaught transformed a small harness and bridle shop into a thriving business specializing in the manufacturing and repair of high-quality western saddles.

Through dedication, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Vaught’s reputation quickly spread beyond Rockwall. The company became a preferred choice among riders throughout the United States and eventually gained international recognition. Under the name G.H. Vaught & Son, the business evolved into a successful mail-order operation managed by George Henry Vaught before ultimately closing in the 1990s.

The success of Vaught Saddle Shop was built not only on the vision of its founder but also on the skill and dedication of the craftsmen who worked there. Each contributed to the exceptional quality and reputation associated with the Vaught name. Among those craftsmen was a young apprentice who began working at Vaught’s in 1945 and would later become a legendary figure in the western riding world: Billy Cook.

While at Vaught’s, Cook learned the intricate art of saddle making and leather craftsmanship from the skilled hands around him. By the mid-1950s, he had established his own saddlery in Greenville, Texas, eventually building a legacy of his own within the western industry.

Today, surviving Vaught saddles and leatherworks serve as lasting reminders of an era when Rockwall was deeply rooted in agriculture and recognized as a center for exceptional craftsmanship. These pieces represent not only the artistry of local makers but also the community’s remarkable contribution to the tradition of western saddlery

08/13/2026

During the early 20th century, Royse City was home to a variety of civic organizations that brought residents together through shared interests and community involvement. Pictured here in 1917 is the 30-member Royse City Band, a musical ensemble composed entirely of local residents. The band provided entertainment for special events, community gatherings, and civic celebrations, while also representing Royse City in regional competitions.

The group held regular rehearsals on the second floor of the J.P. Paschall Dry Goods Store, where members prepared for performances such as the popular summer concert series held at City Lake Park. Through their dedication and talent, the Royse City Band became an important part of the community’s social and cultural life

08/12/2026

💜✨ Dearest Gentle Reader... the social season has arrived!

Every distinguished collection deserves a timeless keepsake, and the 2026 Royse City commemorative ornament is sure to be the talk of the town.

Celebrate the history of Royse City with this beautifully crafted ornament featuring some of our community's most iconic landmarks.

Whether adorning your Christmas tree or displayed year-round, this ornament is a charming reminder that history never goes out of style

🪻 $25 (before tax)

🏛️ Available in the museum gift shop or online at https://rockwallcountymuseum.com/ornaments/

📦 Shipping is available

We do believe this ornament shall be the most coveted keepsake of the season💜

08/06/2026

The origins of organized cheerleading can be traced to the rise of college football in the late nineteenth century. In 1898, the first organized collegiate cheer took place at the University of Michigan when a male student organized a small group to energize the crowd, using a megaphone to lead spectators in coordinated cheers. From there, cheerleading spread rapidly from college campuses to high school athletic programs across the country.

In its earliest years, cheerleading was a predominantly male activity. Women were first permitted to cheer at the University of Minnesota in 1923, and by the late 1940s, female cheerleaders made up the majority of collegiate squads.

The 1953 "puppy" cheerleaders pictured below brought that same spirit of encouragement to Royse City's seventh- and eighth-grade football teams.

Pictured from left to right are Deloris Cross, Charlotte Sellers, Beryl Haydon, Marty Pullen, and Susan Prince.

Historical information featured in this post is adapted from" Images of America: Royse City" by Sheri Stodghill Fowler. Copies of the book are available for purchase in the Rockwall County Historical Foundation Museum gift shop