| Marker Text |
Pioneers began to settle this locality in the 1850s. The oldest marked grave in Crosby Cemetery is dated 1856. The community became known as Koocksville after William Koock (1838-1890), a native of Germany, built a one-room log store here in 1867. Koock and his wife Minna (Jordan) (1843-1912) lived in the store before Koock moved his business to a picket structure and then to a two-story rock building erected in the early 1870s. Koock's store was the headquarters for cattle and sheep ranchers in this area. Here they could purchase supplies, obtain credit, and deposit their gold for safekeeping. The store also became the center of community life. Dances were frequently held on the second floor. Near the store, Koock provided a public well and a playground for children. Koocksville had one of Mason County's earliest schools. Although the town was platted in 1883, it never had a post office. Koock built a grist mill and cotton gin, but neither proved profitable. Koock had just begun a rock house for his family when he was killed in a riding accident. The closing of the store caused Koocksville to decline. In the 1970s, the rock store and several homes remain to mark the settlement. (1978) |
