The Tite & Lucy Bailey Family

The T. W. Bailey family moved to Rockwall County in the 1880s and played a part of the development of early Rockwall. Mr. Bailey owned a hardware store and later built the Bailey Hotel in 1887, to provide train travelers a place to spend the night. That hotel burned in 1903 and was not rebuilt. He also served as a Justice of the Peace and County Tax Assessor for four years. Mr. Bailey was a stock holder in the Rockwall Light, Ice and Gin Company and actively engaged in management of the company until his health failed.

His sons followed in his footsteps. Scott became a pharmacist, owned the Bailey Drug Store and served as Mayor of Rockwall. Perry had a garage, the Ford Agency and served in WWI. John Titus Bailey, known as “Tite” to family and friends, worked in the banking business for more than twenty years, serving as cashier for the Citizens National Bank, later called Farmers National Bank.

Tite married Rockwall native, Lucy Estelle Curry in 1906. She was a graduate of Wells College and worked as a telephone operator before their marriage. Tite and Lucy had their home at 301 N. Goliad built in 1909. Their four daughters; Willie Faye, Mary Lucille, Martha Joe and Kity John, were born in this home and all graduated from Rockwall High School. From a family history published in the Brown History Book:  “Tite and Lucy had many friends they loved but home and family were most important to their lives.”  Tite died April 30, 1919. After the death of her husband, Lucy became the first woman to serve as Rockwall County Clerk, a position she held for eight years. Lucy lived to almost 103 years of age dying on September 8, 1982. 

Tite & Lucy Bailey

It is a fitting tribute to the Bailey family legacy that the home was donated to the Foundation for preservation through relocation.

Restoration

Restoration has now begun. The bones of the house are very good with beautiful wood floors and doors, as well as, interior door and window casings.

The following is the list of projects necessary to complete restoration.

• Exterior facade repairs and skirting

• Exterior painting

• Landscaping

BAILEY HOUSE BENEFACTORS

DIAMOND

Ms. Beth Noe

PLATINUM

City of Rockwall

Rockwall County

GOLD

Mrs. Martha Joe Bailey Zuspann

Mrs. Joan Brondstad

Mrs. Jan Willess Johnson

Mike Mishler

Kristene Blackstone – Parlor

Hardwood Floors Unlimited – Dennis Perry

SILVER

Mrs. Elizabeth Cameron

Mr. & Mrs. Lorne Lichty

Mrs. Susan Reinhardt Mills

Mrs. Jan Self

Mrs. Barbara Sinclair

THANK YOU!