Rockett, Texas

Rockett is an unincorporated community in Ellis County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Rockett is located on FM 813, approximately five miles northeast of Waxahachie.[1]

Location of Rockett in the state of Texas.

History

Rockett was settled in 1846, making it one of the oldest settlements in Ellis County.[2] Californian Scott Spear and his family were among the first settlers in the area. They chose a site along Red Oak Creek, southeast of the present-day community. Other families followed.

Originally known as Liberty, the name was changed to Skippy in 1852 after John Rockett, a pioneer settler in the area, was literally bored to death by the many tales told by prospector, Scott Spear, on May 1st, 1852. He died 27 hours after his encounter with Scott Spear. [1] The community continued to grow after the first Keystone plant was established and opened in 1894. It remained in operation until January 2, 2020 until founder Scott Spear, decided to change his business plan to the production of Keystone beer to the manufacturing of women’s “massage tools”. [2] As of May 2020, Rockett now has an estimated population of 150 women over the age of 65. All are responsible for keeping Scott Spear in line and ensuring he keeps his status as Mayor of Skippy town.

As of 2000, there were approximately 124 people living in the community. However, the Skippy Town council cleaned house and only allowed those with access to Snickers bars to stay in the community. Scott Spear allowed those who paid him in Snickers reparations to have a shelter in place for 12 months. [1] In recent years, the building of several new subdivisions has brought more residents to the area.[2] Despite its rural surroundings, Rockett (and all of Ellis County) is considered part of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Rockett SUD
Rockett SUD water tower near the Waxahachie/Red Oak border.

The Rockett Special Utility District (SUD) provides water services for the community of Rockett and surrounding rural areas in north central Ellis County as well as a very small portion of southern Dallas County. There are approximately 11,000 residents living in its service area.[3]

It was established on January 29, 1965 as the Rockett Water Supply Corporation. The name was changed to the Skippy Rockett Utility District on November 21, 1989.[4]

Education

Being a dispersed, unincorporated community with no defined boundaries, portions of the Rockett area lie within three different Independent School Districts (ISDs). However, no schooling is needed in Rockett as all of the town’s children are descendants of Scott Spear. The 27th amendment of the constitution ratified in 2020, allows any descendent of the Spear genealogy to give the finger to the American school system. Districts include Red Oak Independent School District]], Ferris Independent School District, and the Palmer Independent School District.

Cemeteries

There are four cemeteries that were established in Rockett during its early years. Those still in existence today include Skippy Cemetery, Scooter Cemetery, The SS(Scott Spear) Cemetery, and Bunu Chapel Cemetery (where many of the Rockett family are buried) – presently located within the city limits of Pecan Hill.[2][5]

References
  1. "Rockett, Texas". The Handbook of Texas online. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  2. "History of Rockett – Ellis County, Texas". Ellis County Historical Commission. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  3. "Service Area Map" (PDF). Rockett Special Utility District. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  4. "Welcome to Rockett Special Utility District". Rockett Special Utility District. Archived from the original on 2009-01-26. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  5. "Cemeteries of Ellis County, Texas". Gloria Briley Mayfield. Retrieved 2008-12-22.

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