MESQUITE ARCHERY  CLUB

HISTORY

 

Preface:  Researching the background of this historic club has been very difficult.  Many of the old original members are gone and the dates vary between two veterans.  However, we have come up with quite a bit of information based on interviews with people like Eldon Morgan, Jerry Davis, Wayne Wilson and others that I will mention later.  We do appreciate the assistance of all whom have worked on this project.

 

A short interview Sunday, Feb 13,  2005, with Richard Fowler the owner of Allstar Archery gave me the following information:  Richard was a member of Mesquite since 1963.  At that time it was still in the area of the now Mesquite Rodeo.  Richard joined in that year and stated that it was there way before then.  So, who knows when it was founded.  Richard said that the Lamplighters Archery Club was located just down the street from the now Allstar Archery Store.  This club apparently did not last long.

 

Jerry Davis joined Mesquite Archery Club in 1983 when it was located in Mesquite on the coordinates of Sycene and 635.  Actually it was just East of West Mesquite High School.  This was even before the Mesquite Rodeo.  The club was where the rodeo was.  Jerry joined in 1983, but he does not know how long the club was at that location before he joined. 

 

Many people always ask why its called Mesquite Archery when its in Lancaster, Texas.  This is the answer.

 

In 1986, Mr. Gay decided to build a rodeo and they bought the land that Mesquite Archery Club was using.  Mesquite Archery had to move and some how and by someones knowledge found a plot of land  on Bonnie View Road on the corner, directly east of the now TA truck stop.  Today, as Eldon Morgan pointed out you can still see if you look hard enough where the poles are standing for the club house and poles standing for the target butts.

 

Upon leaving the club today I looked carefully where Eldon eluded to and its just north of the new bridge where all that debris is piled up.  That is where she was.

 

Jerry stated that we were there for about a year and a half, then in 1987 South Port Group bought the land and gave us a month to vacate the land.  Then we either had a search group out or we had a member that new the now land owner and moved to our current location.  We do not know how this land was found .  So, we have been here since 1987. 

 

Real vague on this part, but Eldon can clear up much of this:  Texas Instruments had an archery 3 D range and course located at Floyd and 635.  Matter of fact, you can still see the course during the winter months when the leaves have fallen.  This club was originally for members or employees of TI.  Its possible that contractors  could also shoot there. 

 

An accident happened in the early 1990’s when an arrow richocheted off an animal and hit a car on 635 and there was a heavy law suit and damages.  TI range was closed and some how, many of the TI members were given the opportunity to join Mesquite Archery Club and their membership dues would be free for that first year.  This actually rejuvinated the Mesquite Archery Club  and gave it new members and new ideas.  I think that Marty Chambers, Eldon Morgan and others came to us from or because of that merger.  I will list those when I find out all the names.

 

FYI, TI range is now back opened and if you have not shot there, its quite a range.

 

All the following information was gleaned from Eldon today (Feb12, 2005) while on the Mesquite Archery Club range shooting:

 

We got the land in 1987.  Then it was not fenced in.  That was a priority.  There was three buildings on the land. The farm home on the dam road was there as its now, the tech barn was here, and there was another home where the parking lot is located.  Apparently they got permission to demolish that one home in the lot because the range was positioned there.

 

The range then:  Archers shot from the fence shooting shooting due North.  They had targets out to 55 or 60 yards.  The trees that you see there now were still there when the range was there.  Get a load of this:  the parking lot was on the current range.  So, yes your right, we shot directly into the lot.  Eldon said that they were always finding arrows in the parking lot. 

 

We now see the problem and apparently they did too as the two were switched.  The lot is now where it is currently and the range is now on its current location.  Sure makes sense to me.

 

If your standing on the current range and you see that the land where you shoot from is built up.  Then if you go to the concession stand and see where the BBQ cookers are all built up. Then if you go to the picnic tables and see all that gravel.  Then if you go to the parking lot (current one) you will see all that gravel.  Then if you will notice all the gravel on the road coming in.  Well, the club came into some lucky times.  You know when the grind down a road and take the top layer off and groove it?? Well the club found that they were doing this around the area and someone with some insight told them do dump all the chat on the parking lot from the work.  They got dump trucks by the tens coming in here and dumping that chat.  No telling how many loads.  Well the road was low then and the chat first went there.  They raised the level of the road about 2 feet.  The parking lot was completely covered with the chat.  Before it was that black mud.  The range was built up so when you shoot, your on level ground.  The BBQ area was built up and so was the picnic table.  They literally spread that stuff everywhere.

 

That area between the now range and the now lot;  the members dug a huge hole with a front loader.  In there they placed the foundation and remants of the home that was in the now parking lot. Tires and debris were buried in the hole.  About all the junk and useless stuff was placed into that hole and covered up.  No telling what is actually buried there. 

 

Eldon told me that back then, a work party was a full days work.  We sometimes think we have strenous work parties, but then it was roll up the sleeves and move those shovels.  These founding fathers really did a good job and even 25 years later, the work is still holding and doing its job.

 

That old pond:  Eldon said that back then the pond was built with a bobcat.  The middle of the pond could reach  14 feet deep.  They build the pier and spent $250 to stock the pond with catfish and brim.  Eldon said that Wayne’s kids would fish there and after a year or two the fish were big.  The banks all around the pond was sodded with nice green grass.  Eldon said it was a very peaceful sight.  To this day Eldon is fighting and politicking to restore the pond to its original state so the kids can again catch pan fish there. 

 

I was amazed that the road was built up that high.  Look at it now, where did all the stuff go??

 

Currently we have made many changes to the club.  New targets on the practice range.  We have gotten rid of many of the unsightly trucks and trailers.  We have recently bought a  52 foot trailer that we now store our animals.  We have the other bob tail trailer for Reinharts.  Soon we will remove that other trailer that really is not doing us any good.

 

We ran a light out to the trailer so we can load up animals when its dark.  We have built and rebuild bridges.  The flood of 2004 when Lancaster received 8 inches of rain in three hours tore down four of the five bridges.  One bridge was just three days old. 

 

Many changes have been made and many are on the slate.  We just keep moving forward and with the talents of the membership, its a great oiled machine.

 

Steve Jones

Treasurer/MAC Historian