In 1873, what we currently know as Rockwall County was formed by taking land from Kaufman County to create this new area of 144 square miles that continues to grow in both population and economic worth. Clearly the addition of Lake Ray Hubbard to the County was a stimulus for growth. Add to this the expansion of the bridges on I-30 and TX 66 that cross the lake, plus the completion of George Bush Highway, and you have the perfect formula for creating new industries bringing new jobs, and new commuter housing areas to accommodate the people who work in the Dallas metroplex but want to live in a more relaxed and safe environment.
Several months ago an article was written that discussed the contributions that two members of the Rockwall County Commissioners Court made in the planning and execution for this growth. Clearly governmental policies were important to create the environment for this expansion, and without their foresight, things such as roads and emergency service capabilities would be lacking thus slowing the growth.
But there was and is another category of men and women that so contributed to the success of Rockwall County; the land developers. Names such as Kirby Albright, Doug Hall, Ted Lyon, Rex Robertson, Russell Phillips, Ron Latham, and Scott Lewis are individuals that were big into developing the land for custom developments. These individuals were willing to put their money on the line with the hopes of developing a project for custom homes that would sell. No guarantees, no assurances, just their own personal knowledge of what people would want…and the guts to lay it on the line and go for it!
The biggest and most well-known of the developers is Rob Whittle. Controversial, bold, both loved and hated by some, the man with the personality that makes you want to be his friend, successful one minute and then into bankruptcy the next, the best visionary that Rockwall County has ever had, the man that helped make Rockwall County what it is today.
Whittle, 58 years old, grew up in the Midwest, graduated from Ball State University in Indiana with a BS degree in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and marketing. After graduation he moved to our area and began his career in development. And what a career it has been!
The total taxable value of businesses and homes in Rockwall County is about $7 Billion. This value has grown by as little as a negative ½ percent to as much as 15 percent each year. Of this total value, projects that Whittle has developed have contributed $545 million in property tax value. Nineteen different developments have been done by Whittle ranging from Buffalo Creek in Heath, to Hidden Creek Estates in Royse City, to Fox Chase and Caruth Lake in Rockwall, to Chisholm Crossing in McClendon Chisholm, and the list goes on and on. For example, in the city of Heath, the eight developments done by Whittle have contributed over one third of the total taxable value of that city.
Big developers have classically been accused of “taking” and never “giving anything back.” Caruth Lake, a development in Rockwall is a good example where Whittle demonstrated this is not always the case. This development is a community of homes on the north side of Rockwall that surround Lake Caruth. Whittle donated the lake and much of the adjoining property to the city of Rockwall. This land is now the beautiful Raymond Cameron Park with trails, playground, and recreation fields.
But Whittle’s biggest project, the one that really made Rockwall a destination location, the one that people all over the metroplex talk about, the one that is the “shining light on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard,” is the Harbor. From the movie theater to the many restaurants located at the Harbor, to the Hilton hotel, people come. Weekend on the Lake is a popular destination for people from Dallas, “let’s go over to the Harbor in Rockwall for dinner tonight” is a common theme for people from Greenville and Kaufman County, and it is the center for everything going forward that will be happening in the area of the Harbor.
Total cost for the Harbor, about $28 million. Where did the financing come from; Whittle…no partners, no outside money, his risk, win or lose. Makes you think about the early days of our Country where bold men bet their fortunes and their careers on their guts and their ability to have that vision and to believe so much in that vision they were willing to risk everything on what they could make happen.
Rob Whittle is a genuine asset to Rockwall County. His vision and his determination have helped make our County what it is today…and what it will be twenty years from now. When you see Rob, tell him “Thanks.”
Jerry Hogan is the County Judge of Rockwall County Texas. He can be reached at jerryhogan@sbcglobal.net or 214-394-4033.
