History

Back in the 1840's, the valley along Nolan Creek was a fertile spot where native grass grew four to six feet high with only a few settlers. On a clear day, the pioneers could see forever, if they were facing west. There was an unbroken view as far as the eye range reached. When facing east, their view was cut off by the sheer Nolan bluff where Indians had once lived and where a few Red Faces still appeared from time to time.

The valley provided the settlers with plenty of spring water from the mountains, and plenty of timber. The settlers would cut and hew the native timber with their axes to build their houses and barns, and then chink the cracks between the logs with clay. The timber was also used for fencing. The timber also helped the settlers avoid the Indians who were making raids on white settlers in the area.

The settlers grew their own crops, furnishing plenty for their families. They raised livestock on the grass of the valley and on the acorns and pecans that grew native to the area. To provide meat for the table, "hog killings" were held and sometimes a fat beef was slaughtered. Each family took home the meat from the animals bearing the family's brand. There were also plenty of wild deer and smaller game as well as lots of fish. Honey could be found in many hollow or "bee" trees and small patches of sorghum cane grew in the area.

Home remedies were a necessity to the early settlers because the nearest doctor might be many miles away, and the only means of transportation was by ox wagon or horseback. Pioneer women also did their own spinning and weaving. Candles, made from rendering the tallow of butchered cattle, provided light. The fireplace not only furnished heat, but often used for cooking as well.

After a few more families moved in, a one-room log school house was built just west of where the Pleasant Hill Cemetery is located. The teacher was paid from the subscriptions collected from the parents. The school term was during the three months of summer.