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PUBLISHED BY THE ELLIS COUNTY PRESS OCTOBER 4, 2018 I SOUVENIR ISSUE $5 The City that Bricked the World. OFFICIAL NEWCOMER’S GUIDE History I Government I Statistics I Business

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Page 1: OFFICIAL NEWCOMER’S GUIDEarchives.etypeservices.com/Ellis123/Magazine247323/... · Ellis County Press, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to watch the City of Ferris grow and

PUBLISHED BY THE ELLIS COUNTY PRESS OCTOBER 4, 2018 I SOUVENIR ISSUE $5

The City that Bricked the World.

OFFICIAL NEWCOMER’S GUIDEHistory I Government I Statistics I Business

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WELCOME TO FERRIS

ANIMAL CONTROL (972) 544-2225

BUILDING INSPECTION(972) 842-2752

CITY HALL(972) 544-2110

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT(972) 842-2923

FINANCE(972) 842-2061

FIRE DEPARTMENT(972) 842-2898

LIBRARY(972) 544-3696

MUNICIPAL COURT(972) 842-2028(972) 544-2323

PLANNING & ZONING(972) 842-2752

POLICE DEPARTMENT(972) 842-2092(972) 544-2225(972) 544-2233

PUBLIC WORKS(972) 842-2752

SENIOR CENTER(972) 544-3071

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

100 Town Plaza • Ferris, Texas 75125 • www.ferristexas.gov

JAMES SWAFFORDMayor

CLAYTON HUNTERAlderman Place 1

RICK BARRETTAlderman Place 2

BOBBY LINDSEYAlderman Place 3

JAY WALSHAlderman Place 4 / Mayor Pro Tem

SHERIE CHAPMANAlderman Place 5

Welcome to the City of Ferris, Texas! Ferris is a small town within the DFW Metroplex, with a diverse and growing population. Though Ferris is just minutes away from the amenities of a large city, our residents experience a small-town atmosphere that makes Ferris a great place to live or visit. If you are a visitor to our city, I hope that you will spend some time in our historic downtown area. From antique stores to restaurants to sports bars, there is something for everyone. Be careful though; you’re going to want to stay! If you already call Ferris your home, you know all too well how exciting of a time it is to be here. We are seeing new busi-nesses, new homes, and new people in our community every day. I challenge you to get involved in your city government by attending City Council meetings and volunteering to serve on one of our many boards and commissions. Ferris is a great place to be and is a great place to call home. On behalf of the City Council and the city staff, we are glad you are here in Ferris, “the city that bricked the world.”

James Swafford, Mayor

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 3

G&HGLAS S & CAR PE T

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED111 S. Main St., Ferris, TX

214-693-5155 • 972-842-3075

• Flooring• Carpet• Wood• Tile• Windows• Glass• Screens• Shower Doors• Solar Screens• Roofing• Siding• Gutters

ALL TYPESOF HOME

IMPROVEMENTS– & –

COMMERCIALSTORE FRONTS

On the Cover

THE OLD FERRIS TEXACO SERVICE STATION, painted by retired Dallas Policeman and talented local water-color artist Jim Shivers. From the collection of Sherie and Greg Chapman.

IN 1950, FERRIS WAS KNOWN as the “Brick Cap-ital” of the nation. It started with the finding of mineral clay. In 1895, J.T. Hurst formed the Atlas Brick Company. The second plant was Ferris Press Brick company, incorporated in April 1901. The third plant was Globe Press Brick Com-pany organized in 1905. The Lone Star Press Brick Company was in operation prior to 1915. In 1919, W.J. Green established the Green Press Brick Company. The Diamond Press Brick Company, Cole Press Brick Company, and the Kooken Press Brick Company were also

The City that “Bricked the World”

formed. Before 1920 rolled around, Ferris was pro-ducing 350,000 bricks each day with a capacity to produce 500,000. Bricks were shipped via both rail and wagon. In 1923, six brick companies merged into the Ferris Brick Company. They were Ferris, Globe, Lone Star, Diamond, Cole, and Kooken, run by Troy Wilson. Wilson was also responsible for the Brick Companies’ show mules. These mules won live-stock shows all over the nation. The two mules, Bird and Lottie, became quite a famous pair.

Bird and Lottie

InsideTHE CITY THAT “BRICKED THE WORLD” 3

FERRIS BY THE NUMBERS 4

CITY OF FERRIS NAMESAKE 6

FERRIS ISD: THEN AND NOW 7

THE EARLY HISTORY OF FERRIS 8

FERRIS HISTORY REVEALS “ROMANCE”OF PIONEER DAYS 10

MAP OF FERRIS 12 – 13

ABOUT FERRIS, TEXAS 16 – 20

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4 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

COUNTIESEllis, Dallas

AREATotal: 4.8 sq miLand: 4.6 sq miWater: 0.2 sq mi

ELEVATION466 ft (142 m)

POPULATION (2010)Total: 2,436. Density: 510/sq mi

TIME ZONECentral (CST)

ZIP CODE75125

AREA CODE(S)972

Ferris is on Interstate Highway 45, U.S. Highway 75, and Farm roads 660, 664, and 983, twenty miles south of downtown Dallas, and fifteen miles northeast of Waxahachie in northeastern Ellis County. The population was 2,436 at the 2010 census.

GEOGRAPHY

According to the United States Census Bu-reau, the city has a total area of 4.8 square miles, of which 4.6 square miles is land and 0.15 square miles is water. Most of the city lies

within Ellis County, with only a small portion in Dallas County.

HISTORY

Settlement of the area began in the early 1870s. On September 28, 1874, a local fami-ly deeded approximately 100 acres of land to four trustees for the establishment of a town and railway station. Judge Justus Wesley Fer-ris of Waxahachie handled the transaction, and the community was named for him. Within ten years, Ferris had a population of 300 with a post office, gristmills, cotton gins, four churches, and a school. On September 18, 1882, an election was held to incorporate the community. A total of 47 votes were cast – 34 (72%) in favor of incorpo-ration and 13 (28%) against. The results were verified by the Ellis County Judge on Septem-ber 30, and Ferris officially became a town. By 1900, the town was home to 904 resi-dents. In 1910, that number had increased to 1,233 residents. Fifty businesses, including six brick plants that benefited from the area’s mineral rich soil, were operating in 1914. The population rose to 1,586 by 1925 but declined during the 1930s and 1940s as a result of the Great Depression and World War II. Ferris thrived during the early post-war years. Four brick plants operated during the 1950s, and the community was known locally as the “Brick Capital of the Nation.” Ferris also has a second nickname – “The City that Bricked the World” – which is still commonly used to

date. In 1952, the population had risen to 1,734, and 1,807 by 1964. The Ferris Annual Brick Festival is held every year at the end of April. The expansion of the Dallas–Fort Worth Met-ropolitan Area and the construction of Interstate 45 aided the growth of Ferris in the latter half of the twentieth century. Although the number of businesses decreased during the 1980s, the population continued to grow. It stood at 2,212 in 1990, 2,175 in 2000, and 2,436 in 2010. In 1994, Ferris won the 3-A State Championship in men's basketball.

HISTORICAL CENSUS

CENSUS/POPULATION 1880: 106 1890: 311 1900: 904 1910: 1,233 1920: 1,586 1930: 1,438 1940: 1,436 1950: 1,735 1960: 1,807 1970: 2,155 1980: 2,228 1990: 2,212 2000: 2,175 2010: 2,436

U.S. DECENNIAL CENSUS

In 2010 Ferris had a population of 2,436. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 42.7% non-Hispanic white, 17.5% non-His-

Ferris by the Numbers

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 5

R&WAutomotive

401 S. Main St.Ferris, TX 75125(972) 842-2993

CompleteAutomotive Service JENNY VIDRINE

206 S. Clay St. Suite C, Ennis, TX 75119(972) 875-4791

www.jennyvidrine.com

panic black, 1% Hispanic black, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from two or more races and 38.4% Hispanic or Latino. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,175 people, 688 households, and 502 families re-siding in the city. The population density was 699.8 people per square mile. There were 741 housing units at an average density of 238.4/sq mi. The racial makeup of the city was 67.68% White, 22.39% African American, 0.23% Na-tive American, 0.46% Asian, 7.45% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. His-panic or Latino of any race were 27.54% of the population. There were 688 households out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-fam-ilies. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.61. In the city, the population was spread out with 32.0% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or old-er. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $36,573, and the median income for a family was $43,641. Males had a median in-come of $32,227 versus $24,423 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,104. About 8.1% of families and 12.2% of the pop-ulation were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

EDUCATION

Pupils in Ferris are served by the Ferris In-

dependent School District. Ferris ISD is a Class 4-A school district of-fering students a 21st century educational expe-rience in a rural setting. There are five campuses: Ferris High School, Ferris Junior High School, Ferris Intermediate School, Lucy Mae McDonald Elementary and Hazel Ingram Elementary. Some areas in Dallas County not within the Ferris city limits but with Ferris address-es are served by the Dallas Independent School District. The areas were served by the Wilm-er-Hutchins Independent School District until it closed for good during the 2005–2006 school year.

TRANSPORTATION

Major highways: Interstate 45 (I-45)

BY AIR

The city of Ferris jointly owns the Ferris Red Oak Muni Heliport together with the city of Red Oak. Ferris is also served by the private-ly-owned Dallas South Port Airport.

CLIMATE

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ferris has a humid sub-tropical climate, abbreviated “Cfa” on climate maps.

TAXATION(Tax rates are per $100.00 valuation)

City of Ferris 0.687134Ferris ISD 1.517300Ellis County 0.380100Ellis County ESD #5 0.030000Ellis County Roads 0.033508

CHARLES D. HATFIELD JR.Editor & Publisher

[email protected]

208 S. Central St., Ferris, TX 75125-2622

PHONE: 972-544-2369FAX: 972-544-8150

EMAIL: [email protected]: www.elliscountypress.com

© County Press Enterprises 2018. All rights reserved.

Defending Truth and Freedom

AS PUBLISHER of The Ferris Press in 1992, later to become The Ellis County Press, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to watch the City of Ferris grow and prosper over the years. This issue contains updated statistical in-formation and a glimpse of the past rich history the City of Ferris has experienced. It is my hope this year’s 2018 Ferris New-comer’s Guide will be both informative and en-tertaining. My thanks goes to everyone in making this collector’s edition possible.

Charles D. Hatfield Jr.

From the Publisher

SHEILA HATFIELD Editor-In-Chief

[email protected]

GREG CHAPMAN Creative Director

[email protected]

RITA COOKNews Editor

STEVE PATTERSONSports

THE ELLIS COUNTY PRESS STAFF

TIM O’CONNORRoute Manager

SHIRLEY HABBINGA Sales

[email protected]

RODNEY RAMSEYLegal Counsel

THE ELLIS COUNTY PRESS (USPS 009-713) has been in circu-lation since May of 1992 and is published weekly on Thursday at 208 S. Central St., Ferris, TX 75125-2622 by COUNTY PRESS ENTERPRISES L.L.C. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: By US mail: in Ellis County – $42 • Texas – $54 • Out of State – $76

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6 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

304 West 5th St.Ferris, TX 75125972-842-3374

Sunday’s: 9:30 a.m. – Bible Study 10:45 a.m. – ServiceWednesday’s 6:00 p.m. – Dinner 6:45 p.m. – Group Study

“come as you are”We would love to see you!

City of Ferris Namesake JUSTUS WESLEY FERRIS, lawyer and judge, the son of Rev. Philo Ferris, was born in Hudson, New York, on March 23 or 26, 1823. He lived there through early childhood and the first years of his public schooling, then in Cazenovia, where he attended high school and the Oneida Conference Seminary. After his graduation he taught school at Christiansburg, Shelby County, Ken-tucky. He graduated from Transylvania Uni-versity in 1845 and left Kentucky in 1846 to study law with a Judge Brent at Alexan-dria, Louisiana. Brent, however, suddenly died. On the advice of friends Ferris left Alexandria for Jefferson, Texas, now in Marion County, in 1847. He was admitted to the bar in 1847 and began a law practice with M. D. Rogers of Jefferson. The partners practiced both civil and criminal law. In 1850 Ferris had married Mattie J. Crow of Floydsburg, Kentucky. The cou-ple had two sons; Royal A. Ferris, born Aug. 8, 1851, in Jefferson, Texas, who was educated at the Kentucky Military Institute, near Frankfort, and became a successful banker and capitalist in Dal-las; and Thomas A. Ferris, born Feb. 10, 1861, in Waxahachie, who was also edu-cated at the Kentucky Military Institute, and was a cashier and a director of the Citizens’ National Bank. Ferris, a Democrat, commented on the polit-ical activities of Texans in 1852 as editor of the Jefferson Herald. That same year he was elected to represent Titus and Cass counties in the Fifth

State Legislature. Although he served only one term, he made a lasting contribution to Texas as the author of the common school law. Ill health forced him to retire from politics. In 1854 he moved to Waxahachie, where he

opened a law office with E. P. Nicholson of Dal-las in 1858. The men also established exchange offices in the two cities. Improved health allowed Ferris to return to politics. In 1861 he was selected judge of the

Sixteenth Judicial District. He served in this ca-pacity until the end of the Civil War, when he returned to private practice. He established partnerships with W. H. Get-zendaner and Anson Rainey. With Getzendaner,

Ferris opened a bank at Waxahachie that later became the Citizens National Bank. As a member of the Constitution-al Convention of 1875, Ferris served as chairman of the Committee on Railroads. He also was one of five commissioners appointed by Governor Richard Coke to revise the statutes of Texas. The governor enlisted his legal services in 1876, when he asked Ferris to serve as a special judge on the Texas Supreme Court to hear the case of International Railroad Company vs. A. Bledsoe, Comptroller. For the next 10 years, Ferris con-centrated his efforts on his private law practice and conducted the affairs of the Citizens National Bank, of which he was president for two years. His interest in politics remained, how-ever, and in 1884 he attended the Dem-ocratic national convention as a delegate from Texas. He also contributed political commentary in a number of articles pub-lished in a variety of newspapers in North Texas. On April 26, 1899, Ferris died at his home in Waxahachie. He was a member

of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He was buried in the Methodist Cemetery at Waxa-hachie. The town of Ferris was named in his honor. His papers are housed at the Dallas His-torical Society.

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 7

FERRIS ISD ENROLLMENT FIGURES(2018 campus grade levels enrollment)

Hazel Ingram Elementary(PK3 – Kindergarten) 407

Lucy Mae McDonald Elementary(1st - 3rd) 525

Ferris Intermediate School(4th & 5th) 439

Ferris Junior High School(6th - 8th) 603

Ferris High School(9th - 12th) 749

Total FISD Enrollment 2703

PRIOR TO 1892, the Ferris School was locat-ed on the northwest corner of Fifth and Church Street. The Ferris Institute was opened in one build-ing in 1892. The Ferris Institute became the Ferris Public School. It was a “public tuition school,” funds came in part from the state and from the parents of the students. A new brick school building was constructed in 1912. This building was replaced by a new building built by the Works Projects Administration (WPA) in 1940, and located at the corner of Fifth and Campus. In the fall of 1919, Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Ev-ans came to Ferris as principal and teacher to serve a school in the African-American com-munity. Classes were held in a two-story hall on Front Street. The first graduating class from the Ferris Colored High School was in 1925.

Ferris ISD: then and now In 1934 Lucy Mae McDonald came to the school, which now had 120 pupils. At her re-quest, the school was named Dunbar School. In 1970, the Dunbar School was consolidated with the Ferris public school. A new elementary school was opened in 1971. This campus was renamed to honor longtime beloved Ferris ISD teacher and administrator Hazel Ingram. Ferris High School was opened in 1980 and is located on Eighth Street. Ferris Intermedi-ate School, located on FM 664 was opened in 1989. Lucy Mae McDonald Elementary, named in honor of the education legend and located on FM 983, was opened in January 2003. At present, Ferris ISD consists of five cam-puses and several other support facilities. Ferris ISD offers students the opportunity to partici-pate in a rigorous academic setting and a variety of extracurricular activities.

Aerial view of Ferris High School, January 1, 1949

FERRIS ISD MISSION STATEMENT

FISD recognizes the complex challenge of empowering students to succeed in a world of unprecedented change, a world where our graduates are filling jobs that did not even exist when they entered high school. We are commit-ted to embracing that challenge. FISD is a family, a community, a team; and we dedicate ourselves and our resources to pro-viding every child with every opportunity to be-come more tomorrow than even they imagined possible today. Students at Ferris ISD benefit from a rich his-tory of academic and extracurricular achieve-ment and enjoy community support in all activi-ties. From S.T.E.M. labs to ball fields, from the band hall to the ag farm, and from robotics to theater, we promote exploration and celebrate the pursuit of excellence in every child.

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8 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

ORIGINAL PATENT NO. 155, VOL. 6 was pur-chased March 30, 1850 for $3,680 by Ephraim Andrews, his son, John M. Andrews and son-in-law, S.H.A. McKnight of Rutherford County, Tenn. The McKnights, the Andrews, Mr. Mc-Farland and Colonel Berry formed a caravan, which left Tennessee in September 1851 to settle in Texas and drove through to their new homes on the bleak prairie. The McFarlands settled on land near Lancast-er; Colonel Berry took his family farther south to Navarro County; and the McKnights and An-drews arrived on their land on Dec. 23, 1851. The land was between Ten Mile Creek, Bear Creek and west of the Trinity River, about 10 percent being in Dallas County and the rest in Navarro County, in what later became Ellis County. The settled area soon became known as McKnight-Andrews Corner. In 1870, a Duff-Green-McDaniel caravan left Pontotoc, Miss. with 13 families. They settled just west of Ferris near Bluff Springs. Charles Edward Pratt was also with this caravan. Farming was the primary business for many years, including the raising of grain, cotton and cattle. Wild deer, turkey, panthers and wolves were plentiful. The Andrews family deeded 100 acres of land to four trustees for use as a railway station and the establishment of a town. On Sept. 28, 1874, the trustees deeded the land for the railroad reservation as shown on a map drawn by Theodore Kosse, to the Houston and Texas Central Railroad Company. This transaction was handled by Judge Justus

The Early History of FerrisWesley Ferris of Waxahachie, and the town was named for him. Judge Ferris became renowned all over the state for his interpretations of constitutional law. Jack Straw’s Store was, for a long time, the only general merchandise store in the McKnight Colony. He was appointed the first postmaster on June 22, 1874. The post office was located in his store. Prior to this, the mail had come from Waxahachie and later from Lancaster, accord-ing to the Federal Postal Service, Washington, D.C. Cotton was becoming a major crop by 1880 when the first cotton gin was brought to Ferris.John V. Mutz and George E. Cassidy moved a cotton gin from Prairie Valley near Wilmer to Ferris and formed the Mutz & Cassidy Gin Co. In 1914, the name was changed to Merchants and Planters Gin Co. It was discontinued about 1957. In 1913, the National Ginner’s Report, stated Ellis County was the banner cotton coun-ty of the world and was expected to break all previous records in 1914. In 1882, the W.J. Green Furniture and Un-dertaking Company was established by W.J. Green, who had come from Mississippi in 1870. An election was held Sept. 18, 1882 to incor-porate the Town of Ferris. There were 34 votes cast for the incorporation and 13 against. This petition of more than 20 residents was approved by the County Judge on Sept. 30, 1882. In 1884, Mutz & Cassidy dug a deep ar-tesian well. They used an eight-inch casing and went to a depth of 1,435 feet. Their two storage tanks held between 800 and 900 gallons. The well flowed so freely and furnished such good water that it was available to others and was

eventually bought by the city. Carpenter, Crum and Henry established the first privately-owned bank prior to 1890. It be-came the Citizens National Bank, which was chartered prior to 1903. A newspaper was established in September 1889 by Charles Wood and called The Ferris Cyclone. It was sold about 1893 to Prof. A.C. Speer and Whit Crum and the name changed to The Ferris Sentinel. In 1892, there were 20 or more mercantile and other establishments besides cotton gins and a hotel. J.T. Hurst formed the first brick company, Atlas Brick Co., after the finding of mineral clay in 1895. In 1923, six brick compa-nies merged into The Ferris Brick Co. By 1950, Ferris was known as the “Brick Capital” of the nation. In October 1897 on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Mrs. Mary Jane Duff McDan-iel, there was a family gathering at the home of “Doc” Green, west of town, to which some 92 people attended and had their picture made. The descendants include the following fam-ilies: Kooken, Green, Weatherford, Orr, Ti-grett, Pratt, Duff, McDaniel, Sanders, Wilson, Stovall, Westbrook, Stanford, McCord, Ewing, Rice, House, Malloy, Milon, McKnight, Lovett, Wester and many others. Feb. 25, 1899, S.A. Malloy put in the first lo-cal telephone system, operating out of his drug-store. On July 15, 1901, the Town Council of Ferris voted by more than two-thirds to abolish the in-corporation of the Town of Ferris and accept the provisions of the state statutes regarding incor-poration and thereafter to be known as the City

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 9

of Ferris. John H. Smith was Mayor. They were enabled to do this because the census of May 6, 1901 showed more than 1,000 inhabitants in the town. The Ferris Oil Co. was active in 1906, ex-ploring the 185-acre Powell Field, seven miles east of Corsicana. They hit oil at 1,000 feet for three weeks. The stockholders were T.J. Weath-erford, A.E. Cox, W.E. Weatherford, A.A. Mal-loy, C.E. Kooken, T.W. Holloway, Frank Ezzell, J.A. Smith, Lee Lancaster and Will Speer. On Aug. 24, 1906, a prohibition club of 65 members was formed with Mayor W.M. Tidwell elected as chairman and J.H. Orr as secretary. A prohibition election was held Sept. 14, 1906, and 215 voted for the abolishment of that evil demon, while 35 cast their vote in favor of the Saturday night booze-in. This did not last forev-er, as in 1916 we find there were five saloons in Ferris. Ferris grew until the 1920s. In 1904 it had a population of 901 and in 1910, 1,233. Before World War I, the Ferris Brick Company and various other brick-manufacturing firms took advantage of the mineral clays found in the soils of the area and provided Ferris with a lasting industry. By 1914 some 50 business establishments, in-cluding six brick plants, a broom factory and a weekly newspaper operated in Ferris. The town’s population stood at 1,586 in 1925. During the 1930s and 1940s, no doubt due to the dislocations resulting from the Great Depres-sion and World War II, Ferris declined slightly to 1,436 people and 30 businesses by 1945. Its population rose from 1,734 in 1952 to 1,807 in 1964; the number of operating businesses de-creased from 68 to 46. Known locally as the “brick capital of the nation,” Ferris had four brick plants during the 1950s. The population grew in the 1980s from 2,180 to 2,228, although businesses continued to decrease in number. Agriculture and brick-mak-ing continued to dominate the local economy.

We’re proud to be part of the great historyof Ferris and its future!

PALMER1045 N. I-45

Palmer, TX 75152(972) 449-2283www.csbpalmer.com

FERRIS200 S. I-45

Ferris, TX 75125(972) 544-3000

WILMER421 E. Beltline RoadWilmer, TX 75172

(972) 525-3160

Independently and locally owned, serving the area since 1930. Online Banking • 24 Hour Access • ATM • 24 Hour TeleBank: (972) 449-2399 or (972) 544-2399

LOBBY HOURSMonday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FERRIS AND PALMER DRIVE-IN HOURSMonday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WILMER DRIVE-IN HOURSMonday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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10 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

(Reprinted from The Ferris Wheel,September 8, 1939)

FERRIS HISTORY reveals the romance of Pio-neer Days made more fascinating by the pres-ence of scores of descendants of the second third and fourth generation of Ferris first families, the towns history and background in its early pioneer days becomes a living, prologue to what is now one of the most progressive lit-tle cities of the country, boasting deep well artesian water, brick plants which have brought millions of dollars to the town, and a rich, black soil which makes it outstanding not only in the county, but in the state as a cotton pro-ducing community. Established on a 100-acre grant of land given to the Railroad company, by members of the old McKnight col-ony, original settlers of the town prop-er, Ferris had its birth in June of 1872, some twenty-one years following the arrival of the caravan from Tennessee carrying George David McKnight, the Andrews family, Mr. McFarland and Colonel Berry and Orr families. These sturdy pioneers of Scottish descent found their way to this section, trading their old home in Tennessee for a “league and a labor,”

Ferris History reveals“romance” of pioneer days

and the combined territory of the group covered the principal part of Ferris and the surrounding community today. George McKnight was married in 1849 to Miss Eleanor Andrews of Tennessee, daughter of Ephrain Andrews and through the intermar-

riage of the children of the two families with the Kooken and Goble families, the first Texas fam-ilies of Ferris originate at an these early pioneers of 1850 formed the first settlers of the town of Ferris.

The background of the town could not be completed without mentioning several of the real first comers’ who, though they did not belong to the colony in possession of the land on which Ferris is located have had an outstanding part in the building of the town.

On receipt of the colorful land glowing description of tine Utopia of farms to which they had come the “folks at home” in the old states sought haven in the fron-tier west of Texas and found no place suited to their needs more than the soil of Ferris, the wide pastureland in which their cattle could roam and the pleasant climate or the place. The Goble families, the first Texas born families of Ferris and the early-pio-neers of 1850 formed the first settlers of the town of Ferris. The background of the town could not be completed without mentioning several of the real “first comers” who, though they did not belong to the colony in pos-session of the land on which Ferris is lo-cated have had an outstanding part in the building of the town.

The Batchlers, the Normans, the Moyers, the Witherspoons, the Weatherfords, the Lacys and the Douglass had grants of farmlands west and east of town as early as 1849 and began the clear-ing up and planting of crops which later along

1937 ad for t he Ferris Queen Theatre.

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 11

972-544-2543310 S. 1-45 • FERRIS, TEXAS 75125

H H

H HH

TORTILLERIA Y TAQUERIA

ALVAREZ

with cattle industry, made them leading figures financially and socially in the county as well as the immediate community. Outstanding among this second which came were the Orrs, the Duffs and the Greens – all of whom came between 1854 and 1870. The life of the Ellis county pioneer was filled with hardships as was such a life anywhere in the west for deep wells were few and the wa-ter supply of the people was obtained from Ten Mile Creek, Bear Creek and a number of others which were then as much as thirty feet deep in some places entirely different from the streams we know by those names today. Mail came from Waxahachie then later from Lancaster and the mills were located at Bristol and at Corsicana. A little general merchandise store known as “Jack Straw’s Store” contained the first post of-fice, and was for a long time the only store of

Continued on page 14

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12 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

Tanner Farm Rd.

Ferris Rd.

Western Hills Dr.

Clark Dr.

Fred Ln.

Jimmie Birdwell Blvd.

Jennie Marie Cir.

Jenn

ie Ma

rie Ci

r.

Rolling Hills Dr.

Yello

wjac

ket D

r.

Mead

owga

te Ci

r.

Magellan Cir.

Dandy Mill Rd.

Zodiac Strait Rd.

FARM

664ROAD

AUTO1. AJ Auto Group2. Danny’s Automotive3. E-Z Mart4. Ferris Auto Supply5. R&W Automotive6. Valero

BUSINESS7. ATCO Products8. Bee-Jay Business Forms9. B Moore AC & Heating10. Commercial State Bank11. C&M Business Services12. Edward Jones Financial13. Elite MTS Insurance Agency14. Easy Wash II15. G&H Glass & Carpet16. The Storage Place17. Trinity Industries

CITY18. Ferris City Council19. Ferris City Hall20. Ferris Fire Department21. Ferris Municipal Court

22. Ferris Police Department23. Ferris Public Library24. United States Post O�ce

EAT25. Dairy Queen26. El Taco Tex Mex27. Ferris Donuts28. I-45 Donuts29. Jack in the Box30. Javier’s Cafe31. La Zacatecana32. Metro Grill33. Milano’s Pizza34. Mi Tienda Carniceria & Cafe35. Pho’s Kitchen36. Pizza Hut37. Subway38. Taco Bell39. Tortilleria Alvarez

GROCERY40. Brookshire Brothers41. Dollar General42. Family Dollar

MEDIA43. The Ellis County Press

MEDICAL44. Ferris Family Dentistry45. Ferris Family Medicine46. U.S. Drug Mart

PLAY47. Ferris Tae Kwon Do48. Mutz Park49. Old Brickyard Golf Course

PRIVATE SCHOOL/DAYCARE50. Ferris Christian Academy51. Country School

PUBLIC SCHOOL52. Ferris ISD Administration53. Ingram Elementary School54. Lucy Mae McDonald Elementary55. Ferris Intermediate School56. Ferris Junior High School57. Ferris High School58. Yellowjacket Stadium59. MS Hammack Ag Barn

REMEMBER60. Ferris Memorial Park North61. Ferris Memorial Park South62. Green Funeral Home

SHOP63. A Bundle of Love Florist64. Country Corner Treasures65. Elliut Western Wear66. Hearts of Love Boutique67. The Ivy Cottage Antiques68. Metro Florist & Gifts69. TSC Embroidery

WORSHIP70. Corpus Christi Catholic Church71. Covenant Church72. Ferris Baptist Fellowship73. First Baptist Church74. Ferris Street Church of Christ75. First United Methodist Church76. God’s Kingdom United Methodist Church77. Lighthouse Church of God78. Mt. Hored Baptist Church

© 2018 The Ellis County Press

Welcome to Ferris, Texas

N. Wood St.

W. 5th St.

W. 6th St.

W. 7th St.

S. Wood St.

N. Main St.

N. Church St.S. Church St.

W. 4th St.

S. Main St.

65

63 32

65 68

67

35

463315

31

6966

308

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18

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73

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FARM

983ROAD

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 13

Front St.

Short St.

W. 1st St.

Ash St.

Pecan St.

Maple St.

Oak St.

Ave. B

Ave. A

E. 2nd St.

E. 3rd St.

E. 5th St.

W. 4thSt.

N. Wood St.

Meadowridge

Valley View

E. 1st St.

W. 5thSt.

W. 3rd St.

W. 2nd St.

W. 1st St.

Campus St.

W. 6thSt.

W. 7th St.

W. 8thSt.

W. 9th St.

W. 10th St.

W. 11th St.

W. 12th St.

E. 7th St.

E. 8th St.

Redbud St.

S. Bi

rch Rd

.N.

Birch

Rd.

Wolf Springs Rd.S.

Mead

ow D

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FARM

660ROAD

Ewing St.

S. Wood St.

E. 9th St.

N. Mabel St. S. Mabel St.

S. Henrietta N. Henrietta

E. 10th St.

N. Baker St.S. Baker St.

Magnolia Dr.

Mimosa Dr.N. Central St.

N. Main St.

N. Church St.S. Church St.

S. Central St.

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3

443

5

6

75

51

102450

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14 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

DALLAS TORTILLA & TAMALE FACTORY213 TX-342, Suite 405, Red Oak • (972) 576-1171

Open Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Let Us Elevate Your Life”– with –

Smart Coffee

STEVEN & CAROLYN EDWARDS(214) 815-3433

which the colony boasted. “Pencil and Doty’s” Mercantile was the first real business institution, followed by business-es of Mr. Sweatt, Miller, Baird, and Snyder as among the first. W.W. Batchler built the first brick building in the city. Mr. George Smith, father of Mrs. Johnny Bri-gnon, was operator of Ferris’ first hotel, and M. Mackey was the first station agent. Mrs. Sewell was telegraph opera-tor, having learned the machines mechanism after the station was established here. The first church, a “Cumberland” Presbyterian church known as Antioch, was located west of town. Drs. Hursey, Washington and Welch were the first physicians in the county. Carp Crum established Ferris first privately owned bank, being also operators of the bank at Lancaster, where Ferris did most of its trading prior to that time. The town received its’ name from Judge Ferris of Waxahachie – one of the first bankers and a leading figure in the history of the county. The town was incorporated ten years later when the railroad company began selling the town property donated by the McKnight colony and established the post office of Ferris. A.E. Cox and W.W. Batchler are the only living members of the original forty-seven who

voted in the election to incorporate – 34 of the 47 votes were cast for incorporation, and 13 against. Signed by J.H. Hollaway as manager and W.J. Green and I.B. Atkins as judges. The poll list for the next election on April 3, 1883 included the names of twenty-six voters for filling the positions of mayor and aldermen for the first time. J.H. Sweatt received twenty-three of the twen-

ty size cast for mayor and N.J. Doty, J.H. Holloway, G.A. Turn-er, R.G. Sanders and Tom Atkins were the first aldermen to gov-ern the city according to the original hand written tally count of the election, which is now the prize posses-sion of Franklin Green whose father, W.J. Green was one of the outstanding figures in Ferris’ history. Ferris’ development as a town was slow and steady, and a healthy growth – no “oil boom” sudden spring-ing up over night, and dying out the next day. In 1884 Mr. Mutz and Mr. Cassidy, lead-ing figures in the civic welfare of the town, dug for themselves a

deep artesian well, allowed so freely good water that other men in were offered to invest some money – one hundred dollars each-for the instil-lation of machinery for making that water supply available to them too. The money invested, was to be returned to them – in water – at the rate of a dollar a month

in water use. Needless to say the water works soon became a burden to the town owners, and they sold the works to the city some twenty years later for five thousand dollars. The good water supply and other favorable factors made Ferris an ideal point for an educa-tional center, and in 1895 the Speer school came an outgrowth of the public school of which Mr. Speer was superintendent The school nourished for a number of years, and finally becoming qualified to offer two full years of college work. Mr. W.W. Batchler is the only living trustee of the old school. Another principal factor in the city’s growth was the use of the mineral clay of this vicinity in the making of press brick, began in 1895 by T. J. Hurst of Dallas and finally bringing additional revenue to the town itself by the establishment of the home-owned plant, the Ferris Brick Compa-ny. The good water supply and other favorable factors made Ferris an ideal point for an educa-tional center, and in 1895 the Speer school came – an outgrowth of the public school of which Mr. Speer was superintendent. The school nourished for a number of years, and finally becoming qualified to offer two full years of college work. Another principal factor in the city’s growth was the use of the mineral clay of this vicinity in the making of press brick, began in 1895 by T.J. Hurst of Dallas, and finally bringing additional revenue to the town itself by the establishment of the home-owned plant – the Ferris Brick Compa-ny. “The Ferris of today” might perhaps be con-sidered as beginning in about 1914, for in that year the sewer bond issue was voted, followed by the bond for the water works in 1921, when the new system which is still in existence replaced the old one which had been under city supervi-sion since 1919. There was no city hall until after the purchase

Early images of The Ferris Insti tute.

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 15

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • BUSINESS • HEALTH

WAXAHACHIE311 Ferris Ave.

Waxahachie, TX 75165972-938-9700

ENNIS608 E. Ennis AveEnnis, TX 75119(972) 875-4300

RED OAK100 Plaza Dr. #500Red Oak, TX 75154(972) 576-7330

of the water works. Prior to that time, the records were kept in an old building which was used only for occasional council meetings. For that reason, the old records of the estab-lishment of the city were destroyed by fire in the early, part of the twentieth century and no ac-curate information on the city’s business before 1914 is available. In 1921 also the first tax assessor collector was appointed to office. W.A. Cox was selected to fill that place, and held the position until his death in 1931. Before he was appointed, the city marshal col-lected what little taxes the city took over. No city officials were paid salaries before that time. The last bond voted here was in 1926, when the paving bond issue was presented and carried. By 1927 Ferris was distinguished for a town of its size by having about three and a half miles of paving. In 1929 the “crash” left its mark on Ferris, as on every other small town in America, and for a number of years, has known perhaps for the first time what it meant to be on a standstill. Economists who have studied the financial problem the world over tell us that the downward rush is over and that the incline is once again steady and sure, and that the small town is “com-ing back.” The staunch pioneer stock – the good old Scottish and German ancestors who made our pioneer Ferris thrive – exists in the hearts of the real Ferrisite today, and with better times every-where. Ferris, too is headed for brighter days. The bravery which the city’s foundation is in-stilled within the hearts of its citizens and mer-chants today, will, too, have their part in the su-ture history of the town, and of the county, and of the state. Ferris has been a city for almost three quar-ters of a century – she will stand for many more spans of time as important to her destiny.

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16 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

Latest numbers available: 2016 (Dataset)

Ferris has a population of 2,527 people with a median age of 28.9 and a median household income of $50,150. Between 2015 and 2016 the population of Ferris grew from 2,489 to 2,527, a 1.53% in-crease and its median household income grew from $46,548 to $50,150, a 7.74% increase. The population is 42.9% white, 41.9% his-panic, and 13.8% black with 31.7% of the peo-ple speak a non-English language, and 90.7% are U.S. citizens. The largest universities near Ferris are The University of Texas at Arlington, with 10,472 graduates, University of North Texas, with 8,598 graduates, and Tarrant County College District, with 7,759 graduates. In addition, Texas State Technical College has a campus in Red Oak. The median property value in Ferris is $80,500, and the homeownership rate is 68.5%. Most people in Ferris commute by driving alone and the average commute time is 27.1 minutes. The average car ownership in is two cars per household. Ferris is a census place located in Ellis Coun-ty and Dallas County and borders Lancaster, Red Oak and Wilmer.

ECONOMY

Ferris economy employs 1,035 people spe-cialized in construction, transportation and warehousing and manufacturing, which employ respectively 3.03; 2.09; and 1.29 times more

About Ferris, Texaspeople than what would be expected in a loca-tion of this size. The largest industries in Fer-ris are construction (183), manufacturing (129), and healthcare & social assistance (117), and the highest paying industries are professional, scientific, tech services ($55,435), finance and insurance ($42,159), and admin. support, waste management services ($30,694). Median household income in is $50,150. Ferris males have an average income that is 1.4 times higher than the average income of fe-males of $45,764. The income inequality of Ferris (measured using the Gini index) is 0.486 higher than the national average.

WAGESMedian household income: $50,150

2016 VALUE± $12,887

Households in Ferris have a median annual income of $50,150, which is less than the medi-an annual income in the United States. The closest comparable data for the census place of Ferris is from the state of Texas.

AVERAGE MALE SALARY$64,027 ± $546

AVERAGE FEMALE SALARY$45,764 ± $418

In 2016, full-time male employees in Texas made 1.4 times more than female employees.

The closest comparable data for the census place of Ferris is the state of Texas.

HIGHEST AVERAGE SALARIES BYRACE & ETHNICITY

Asian: $64,721 ± $1,775American Indian: $53,621 ± $11,629

White: $51,500 ± $371

In 2016 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Texas workers were Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than American Indian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

HIGHEST MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOMECensus Tract 601.01Census Tract 169.03

In 2016, the census tract with the highest me-dian household income in Ferris was Census Tract 601.01 with a value of $55,091, followed by Census Tract 169.03 and N/A, with respec-tive values of $39,817 and N/A.

LARGEST DEMOGRAPHIC LIVING IN POVERTY± 75

19.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ferris (477 out of 2,500 people) live below the poverty line, a number higher than the national average of 14%. The largest demographic living in poverty is male < 5, followed by female 18-24 and then male 45-54. The Census Bureau uses a set of money in-

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 17

105 S. MAIN ST. • FERRIS, TX 75125(972) 842-8100 • (972) 544-8120

CALL FOR SPECIALS! • WE DELIVER!

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come thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as im-poverished. If a family’s total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

LARGEST RACE OR ETHNICITYLIVING IN POVERTY

Hispanic or Latino: 276 ± 262White: 257 ± 198

Unknown: 143 ± 200

The most common racial or ethnic group liv-ing below the poverty line in Ferris is Hispanic or Latino, followed by white and unknown. The Census Bureau uses a set of money in-come thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as im-poverished. If a family’s total income is less than the family’s threshold than that family and

every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

OCCUPATIONS

For anonymity, the ACS 1-year estimate groups occupations by broad parent groupings.

2016 value: 1,035 ± 1641 year growth: 4.02% ± 20.2%

From 2015 to 2016, employment in Ferris grew at a rate of 4.02%, from 995 employees to 1,035 employees. The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ferris, TX, are production and transportation, sales and office, and natural re-sources, construction and maintenance.

MOST COMMON The most common jobs held by residents of

The Ferris Gazebo, buil t and donated by resident Joe Chapman for the 1974 Ferris Centennial.

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18 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

Ferris, TX, by number of employees, are con-struction and extraction, sales and production.

MOST SPECIALIZED Compared to other census places, Ferris has an unusually high number of residents working in construction and extraction, material moving and installation, maintenance and repair.

HIGHEST PAID The highest paid jobs held by residents of Ferris, TX, by median earnings, are manage-ment, installation, maintenance and repair and farming, fishing and forestry.

INDUSTRIES

For anonymity, the ACS 1-year estimate groups industries by broad parent groupings.

2016 value: 1,035 ± 1641 year growth: 4.02% ± 20.2%

From 2015 to 2016, employment in Ferris grew at a rate of 4.02%, from 995 employees to 1,035 employees. The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ferris, TX, are construction, manufacturing, and healthcare and social assis-tance.

MOST COMMON The most common industries in Ferris by number of employees are construction, manu-facturing and healthcare and social assistance.

MOST SPECIALIZED Compared to other census places, Ferris has an unusually high number of construction, transportation and warehousing and manufac-turing.

HIGHEST PAYING The highest paying industries in Ferris, TX,

by median earnings, are professional, scientif-ic, tech services, finance and insurance and ad-min. support, waste management services.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Insurance and Medicare coverage combined with state and county level health and safety sta-tistics for Ferris, TX. In Ellis County, TX the age groups most like-ly to have health care coverage are 6-17 men and women, respectively. The location has a 1 to 41 primary care clinician to patient ratio, and a Medicare reimbursement average per patient per year of $10,995. Newton County, TX has the highest preva-lence of homicides of any county in Texas.

CLINICIAN TO PATIENT RATES

The closest comparable data for the census place of Ferris from the county of Ellis County, TX.

PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANSFOR EVERY 100,000 PEOPLE

32

DENTISTS FOR EVERY 100,000 PEOPLE57

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALSFOR EVERY 100,000 PEOPLE

39

INSURANCE COVERAGE The closest comparable data for the census place of Ferris from the county of Ellis County, TX. Ellis County, TX residents 6-17 years of age are the largest age group with healthcare cover-age in Texas. The age groups most likely to have health care coverage are 6-17 men and women respec-tively. Nationally, 6-17 (for men) and 6-17 (for

The annual Ferris P ioneer Day parade and celebrat ion happens each October.

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 19

women) are the age groups most likely to have coverage.

MOST COMMON

1. White: 083 ± 2262. Hispanic: 060 ± 251

3. Black: 349 ± 114

In 2016, there were 1.02 times more white residents (1,083 people) in Ferris than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1,060 Hispanic and 349 black residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups. 643 of Ferris citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.1%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Ferris was Spanish. 25.4% of the overall population of Ferris are native Spanish speakers. When compared to other census places, Ferris has a relatively high number of resi-dents that are native Spanish speakers. In 2015, there were 643 native Spanish speakers living in Ferris, TX, approximately 1.83 times more than would be expected based on the language’s frequency in the US more broadly.

MILITARY

MOST COMMON SERVICE PERIOD1. Vietnam: 52 ± 36

2. Gulf (2001-): 32 ± 31.83. Korea: 15 ± 24.7

Ferris has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.63 times greater than any other conflict.

HOUSING & LIVING

The median property value in Ferris is $80,500, 0.39 times smaller than the national

average of $205,000. Between 2015 and 2016 the median proper-ty value decreased from $84,400 to $80,500, a 4.62% increase. The homeownership rate of Ferris is 68.5%, which is higher than the national average of 63.6%. People in Ferris have an average commute time of 27.1 minutes, and they commute by “drove alone.” Car ownership in Ferris is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME793 ± $12,887

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS± 96

In 2016, the median household income of the 793 households in Ferris grew to $50,150 from

the previous year’s value of $46,548.

PROPERTY VALUE 2016 median: $80,500± $10,4742015 median: $84,400± $10,374

In 2016, the median property value in Ferris declined to $80,500 from the previous year’s value of $84,400.

PROPERTY TAXESAverage range: $2k-$3k

RENT VS OWN2016 homeownership: 68.5%2015 homeownership: 68.2%

In 2016, 68.5% of the housing units in Ferris were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year’s rate of 68.2%. This percentage of owner-occupation is high-er than the national average of 63.6%.

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20 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

LOTSACASHPAWN

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WE BUY, SELL GOLD & JEWELRY

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TRANSPORTATION

CAR OWNERSHIPAverage Number: 2 cars

COMMUTE TIMEAverage travel time: 27.1 minutes

Using averages, employees in Ferris have a longer commute time (27.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25 minutes). Additionally, 2.13% of the workforce in Fer-ris have “super commutes” in excess of 90 min-utes.

MOST COMMON METHOD OF TRAVEL1. Drove alone: 82.9%2. Carpooled: 10.3%

3. Work at home: 5.02%

In 2016, the most common method of travel for workers in Ferris was “drove alone,” fol-lowed by those who carpooled and those who work at home.

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FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE I 21

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22 I FERRIS NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

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Like us on Facebook (wwwfacebook.com/ferris.isd) • Follow us on Twitter (@FerrisISD)

NICKHAMM

Board Member

MIKEMOFFITT

Board Member

MELLISSASALAS

Board Member

RICARDORODRIGUEZ

Board Member

FERRIS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLPrincipal: Ivan Reyes ([email protected])

Address: 1002 E. 8th St. • Phone: 972-544-2279Campus Motto: “Dream Big And Work Hard.”

FERRIS HIGH SCHOOLPrincipal: Kevin Dixon ([email protected])

Address: 1025 E. 8th St. • Phone: 972-544-3737Campus Motto: “The School Of Opportunity.”

LUCY MAE McDONALD ELEMENTARY SCHOOLPrincipal: Chris Hawkins ([email protected])

Address: 500 FM 983 • Phone: 972-544-2574Campus Motto: “Growing Learning Leading Achieving.”

DIST R IC T ADMI N IST R AT ION

SUPERINTENDENT James Hartman

[email protected]

DEPUTYSUPERINTENDENT

T.J. [email protected]

ASSISTANTSUPERINTENDENT Dr. Melinda [email protected]

DIRECTOROF SECONDARY

LEARNINGJane Dvorak

[email protected]

DIRECTOROF ELEMENTARY

LEARNINGKendra Gajdica

[email protected]

FINANCE DIRECTOR Brenda Rodriguez

[email protected]

TECHNOLOGYDIRECTOR

Brett [email protected]

DIRECTOR OFSPECIAL POPULATIONS

Dr. Tyrell [email protected]

FOOD SERVICESDIRECTORGay Clark

[email protected]

PEIMSCOORDINATORPhyllis Wilson

[email protected]

SECRETARY TOSUPERINTENDENT

Cathy [email protected]

TRANSPORTATIONDIRECTOR

Robbie [email protected]

A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENTJAMES HARTMAN

Ferris ISD is proud to partner with the City of Ferris in securing a brighter future for our community. We under-stand the vital role education plays in the strength and vi-tality of our country; and we are committed to providing our young people with educational and extra-curricular opportunities that will foster their farm growth and devel-opment. From the classroom to the gridiron and from the band hall to the Ag farm, our Yellowjackets are sharpening their skills to compete on a world stage. Our goal is to remain true to the core values and be-liefs upon which our school district was established while engaging our students with 21st century technology and learning. From expansion of Pre-K at our primary cam-pus to expansion of career and technology programs at our high school, and at every campus in between, we will deliver on our promise of empowering students through education. One-to-one technology devices (Chromebooks and iPads) are in the hands of all students in grades 1-12 so they can be fully immersed in digital learning. Addi-tionally, cutting-edge STEM labs (Science, Technology, En-gineering and Math) and Robotics programs are providing real-world problem solving skills to our future leaders. We invite parents and community members to join us in our daily quest for excellence. We are proud of our past and ready for our future.

FERRIS ISDADMINISTRATION BUILDING

P.O. Box 459 301 E. 5th Street , Ferris, TX 75125

972-544-3858 (phone) 972-544-2784 (fax )

Office hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

F ER R IS ISD MISSION

STAT EM EN T FISD is a family, a community, a team; and we dedicate ourselves and our resources to providing every child with every opportunity to become more tomorrow than even they imagined possible today.

LEELONGINO

Board Secretary

ROBERTSCOTT, JR.

Board President

JORGELOPEZ

BoardVice President

T he D ist r ic t of Oppor t unit yFERRIS ISD301 East 5th Street I Ferris, Texas, 75125 I 972-544-3858 www.ferrisisd.org

HAZEL INGRAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOLPrincipal: Vickie Griffith ([email protected])Address: 600 S. Central • Phone: 972-544-3212

Campus Motto: “The Jacket Tradition Begins With Me.”

FERRIS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Principal: Bobbi Cook ([email protected])

Address: 601 FM Rd. 664 • Phone: 972-544-8662Campus Motto: “Chase Your Dreams.”

Page 24: OFFICIAL NEWCOMER’S GUIDEarchives.etypeservices.com/Ellis123/Magazine247323/... · Ellis County Press, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to watch the City of Ferris grow and