Our History
About Us
The Callisburg Community Center is a nonprofit organization
The Callisburg Community was organized in 1924 and is one of the oldest continually ran community clubs in Texas. The current building was built in 1971. For almost 100 years this club has supported local organizations, and stimulated cultural experience
One of the many services we provide is renting our building for public and private events. Plan your next business meeting, birthday party, reunion or other special events here.
Our History
Callisburg Texas is one of the oldest communities in Texas. In December 1845, Texas became the 28th state of the union. Callisburg is eleven miles northeast of Gainesville in eastern Cooke County. It’s located on FM 2896 and FM 678. The town was near the Butterfield Overland Mail route and on the Mormon Trail, a route established in 1846 by a group of Mormons led by Lyman Wight, who were migrating to Texas.
Settlers began to pass through and many stopped to make homes. One of these was Sam Callis and his family. He built a blacksmith shop. His shop was located near the spot where the Community Center is now located. In the late ‘60’s Mr. Callis had a well dug to supply
the community with water.
Settlers continued to come into the community and soon a prosperous little town was established. Besides Mr. Callis’ blacksmith shop, grocery stores, barber shops, gins, and a drug store was built. By 1873 a post office was established.
Billy Rousseau's built a dry-goods and grocery store, and ten years later Callisburg reported a population of 300, a school, and some twenty businesses, including a steam gristmill-cotton gin.
In 1883 Callisburg received her name and a Post Office was established. The Post Office was ran by Billy Rousseau. The town was named for blacksmith Sam Callis, the first settler there. Later, the Butterfield Stage was routed through Callisburg bringing more settlers.
Several doctors set up shop. Dr. Barnett’s office was in his home just south of the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church was built around the turn of the century. The Church of Christ and Vilott Baptist Church followed a few year latter. These churches are still active. The next project for these thrifty pioneers was to try to build a school. It was located near the Methodist Church.
In 1924 the Big Indian Oil and Development Company Well No. 1 was drilled on B. W. Davis's farm, a mile east of Callisburg. Many cafes and restaurants sprang up.
The Callisburg Community Center was organized in 1924 and is one of the oldest continually ran community clubs in Texas. The current building was built in 1971.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission:
To connect with our members, serve, empower and support our community.
Vision:
Maintain and plan activities for the benefit of our community. To enhance the quality of life and to serve the need of our Schools, VFD, Park, and Community.
High school students raise $260,000 for elderly custodian so he can retire
Three high school seniors from Callisburg, Texas, learned that an 80-year-old janitor at their school didn't have enough money to retire, so they decided to help him out.
The trio — Greyson Thurman, Marti Yousko and Banner Tidwell — from Callisburg High School launched a GoFundMe campaign on Feb. 15 that generated more than 8,000 donations totaling about $260,000. Most of the donations came from Callisburg students and staff, the students said.
"It's amazing," Callisburg High Principal Jason Hooper told CBS affiliate KXII. "The need that was met because of three kind kids — of all of our students who pitched in to meet that need," he said.
