Temple, Bell County
Historic Green Oaks Farm is part of the Maximo Moreno eleven league grant of 1834. Moses (1793-1858) and Barzilla Curry Griffin (1801-1873) received land from this grant, and later transferred it to their daughter, Cornelia Griffin Heard (Hurd) Rich (1843-1934). The farm became a focal point for area settlers; Mount Vernon School opened south of a farmhouse Rich built in 1882 and the community of Echo developed on the northeastern edge of this land. Also, a trail vital to the settlement crossed Friars Creek, running diagonally across the property. The creek and a well provided water to area residents and to travelers. The farm continues to serve as a record of early area settlement and exploration. (2009)