History

 

   William Adkins Fitzgerald and Joicey Hanks Fitzgerald homesteaded this stunning property in December, 1850.  The original homestead was 600 acres.  The original home was built in the approximate middle of the property, and subsequently burned to the ground in the 1940s.  
    William and Joicey had 12 children, the youngest being Francis Thadius Fitzgerald, born January 9, 1870.  The land was divided and re-sold amongst the 12 offspring.  Eventually Francis married Cora Farris, and they had three sons (Marcus, who died at age 13) Edgar and Andrew.  A remaining 200 acres was divided between Edgar and Andrew at the time of their parents’ death.  
    Edgar married Ruby Thompson and they bore three daughters, Faye, Hazel and Wanda.  Edgar preceeded Ruby in death, and at the time of Ruby’s death, Edgar’s 100 acres was surveyed and divided among the three surviving daughters.  Hazel purchased Faye’s share, increasing her total acreage to 67.35 acres; Wanda’s share now belongs to her son, Rick Owen.  
    Hazel married her childhood sweetheart, Joseph Regester Elrod in 1935, and they had one son, Jerry David Elrod.  Joe and Hazel lived in Palestine most of their married life, and moved to the ‘farm’ in 1991, where they had a double-wide mobile home installed.  They added a front and rear deck, as well as a covered parking area to the modest home.  Joe died there in 1995, and Hazel continued to reside there after his death.
    Jerry and his wife, Sharon, retired from their respective careers in 1997, moved to Texas and built Concord Lodge in 1998.  The entire building process is documented with pictures and a journal, as well as a detailed list of all the subcontractors involved in the evolution of this magnificent property.
The property is designated a Texas Wildscape, providing food and homes for wild animals native to the area. Jerry and Hazel have ‘First Texas Family’ designations, indicating their ancestors settled in Anderson County Texas prior to December 31, 1850.