This neo-Classical
style home, located at 306 S. Bois d'Arc, was built in 1910 for Dick
P. and Nancy Moore and was one of the first homes in Forney to have
electrical wiring. The neo-Classical style of architecture came into
fashion after 1900, replacing the more lavish Victorian designs of the
late 19th Century.
From 1982 to 1983,
Ronald Leslie and Jerry Flook took on the painstaking task of renovating
the Dick P. Moore home. During renovation, Ron and Jerry discovered
several clues to Forney's past and the early days of home electricity.
One of their finds was the word "electrophonatomicography"
written on a wooden sheathing inside an interior wall. I don't think
anyone has figured out what that means, but the date July 4, 1910 was
written next to it. This was proof for Ron and Jerry that the house
was wired for electricity when it was originally built. In 1985, the
home was designated a Texas Historical Site and received a marker.
Having electricity
in the home was an exciting new change for the people of Forney during
the time this house was built. With the new water supply system in place,
electrical production was finally realized. The original electrical
generators were steam powered.
In 1910, it was
announced that Forney was to have a privately owned electric light plant.
The Forney Power & Ice Company was built, and on the evening of
August 12, 1910, electric lights illuminated Forney homes and businesses
for the first time.
