(Foreword:  I originally wrote this brief sketch in 1998 after I noticed that some of the other towns in Cooke County had a town history posted on the internet and there was none for Valley View.  I wrote the original version to the best of my ability at that time.  Over the past 10 years I have continued doing research of Valley View history.  I have experienced many meaningful rewards some of which has come from my 5 trips to Missouri going through records in the counties of Howard, Cooper, Johnson and Henry.  Often the result of research will come a better understanding of how events unfolded and the original story changes as new/different information is found.   That is the reason for this update to more accurately record our history.)  Norman L. Newton

 

Brief Historical Sketch – Valley View, Texas

Written by Norman L. Newton , 1998, rev., 9/23/08

 

            In 1870 seven families from Missouri came to settle in the southern part of Cooke County, 10 miles south of Gainesville.  These families were Captain L. W. Lee, D.A. Jones, Gilbert French, Richard McCubbin, Andrew Hill, Joseph Reavis and William Obuch.   The Lee family was the first to arrive on February 1, 1870 with the others to soon follow.  Captain and Mrs. Lee are considered the founders of Valley View.   A little known fact is that Mrs. Lee gave birth to a son, Perry, shortly after arriving on February 27, 1870.

 

                The birth of the town came two years later as a result of these early pioneers having to travel to Gainesville for all their provisions, mail, plows sharpened and the education of their children.  Sometimes it would rain causing Elm Creek to rise and since there were no bridges they couldn't obtain the needed provisions or even retrieve their school children.  Mrs. Lee told her husband, Capt. Lee, that she couldn't stand that, and he responded, "We would have to build a town of our own".   Mrs. Lee then told him "alright" and he went to work.  Capt. Lee asked William Obuch for help, as he was a skilled surveyor and penman.  Mr. Obuch drew the blue print for laying out and naming the original streets.  Captain Lee gave every man who would come to the town a lot if they would build a house and paint it white.  Mrs. Lee gave the town its name Valley View because of the pretty view looking west toward the valley on Spring Creek. 

 

                Valley View officially became a town on March 26, 1872 with the establishment of a Post Office.  Mrs. Lee remarked when the town was about 10 years old, "It was the prettiest, whitest little town I ever saw."

 

                The town would suffer several devastating fires through the years, but would always rebound back due to the caring spirit of its townspeople. The town voted to incorporate in 1979. The town is served by a mayor and 5 aldermen.

 

                The Valley View Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1997 and promotes the attributes this area offers.

 

Points to be proud of:

  • Churches - First Baptist, United Methodist, Church of Christ, St. John’s Catholic, Christian Gathering.  (In order of formation)
  • School System Rated EXEMPLARY, this is the highest rating given by the Texas Education Agency.
  • John Marvin Jones, Son of Horace King and Theodocia Jones, born on 2-26-1882 in Valley View.  Marvin being raised on his parent’s wheat and cotton farm grew up with strong agrarian roots and a taste for Democratic politics.  Marvin is considered to be Cooke County's most distinguished native son.  He was elected to Congress in 1916 representing 47 counties including Cooke and served continuously until 1940, when he was appointed to the court of claims by President Roosevelt.  Because of his knowledge of farm and food problems and his standing as a jurist, Judge Jones was named to preside at the International Food Conference at Hot Springs, Virginia, in 1943.  His appointment as War Food Administrator followed soon afterward. After V-J Day in 1945, Judge Jones returned to the court of claims and in July, 1947, was confirmed as Chief Justice of the United States court of claims.  He was noted for being a friend of agriculture throughout his life.  The J. Marvin Jones Federal Building at Amarillo serves as a reminder of his dedicated service and contributions toward the betterment of our country.
  • First Cattlemen's Organization - cattlemen of North Texas were plagued by cattle thieves.  The first Cattlemen's Organization to combat them was started in Valley View about 1875 by Harvey Hulen, L. W. Lee, William Obuch, Capt. A. T. Ball, Charles S. Newton and others.  This organization was the forerunner of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association, which was formed in Graham, February 15, 1887.
  • Keep Valley View Beautiful – won the Governors Award in 2006 for small towns.  The KVVB committee chose to rebuild the cities town square which was completed in July, 2008.

 

        Today with a population of  737 Valley View is a quiet town with its townspeople offering a friendly warm welcome to all who come to live or visit.   We are proud of the foundation our forefathers laid before us and our contribution to Cooke County's interesting history.

 

        We are proud to call Valley View HOME.

        A much more informative history can be found at the Valley View History Website, “UNDER THE SHADE TREE”.

http://www.oocities.org/valleyview1872