A Legacy on the Lake:
From a 1950s Homestead to a Future Community
Following seven decades of family history on Gun Barrel Lane -from the reservoir's creation to a retirement filled with honeybees and gardening - the Early-Moseley family transitions their beloved 16-acre lakeside estate to new hands.
Old Gun Barrel Ln mid 60's
Family Timeline & Transitions
The property saw the Early-Moseley family through decades of growth, changes in ownership, and the evolving landscape of Gun Barrel City:
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1952: Earnest and Claudine Early purchase the original 147-acre plot.
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1960: Approximately 115 acres are sold to the Tarrant County Regional Water District to create the Cedar Creek Reservoir.
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1962–1978: The remaining land is split; Claudine and her second husband, Fred Moseley, later build a retirement home on her 16-acre portion.
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2007–2009: Following Claudine's passing, ownership is split between daughter Deborah and grandson Josh. Deborah moves in to care for Fred until his death in 2009.
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2011–2023: Deborah and her husband John, live on the lake full-time, maintaining the "country life" until the final sale in November 2023.
Life on the Land
Fred Moseley was the "heart and soul" of the property. His retirement was defined by traditional craftsmanship and a deep connection to the earth, including:
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Plowing gardens with his mule, Jack, using an heirloom plow.
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Operating a local bee-keeping business and selling honey at the flea market.
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Raising quail and hosting frequent fish fries with catches from the reservoir.
The next Chapter
After decades of stewardship, the family sold the property to Hillside Development. Deborah notes a sense of "immense peace" knowing the land will be transformed into a "showplace" for new families, ensuring the history of the property continues in a new form.
