Texas Historical Marker #12862
Ashby-Wilson Creek Community. Ashby-Wilson Creek Community William Erastus Moore, a New Jersey native, settled in Indianola in the 1850s. After serving with Terry's Texas Rangers in the Civil War, he returned to settle on land northeast of Blessing and named the surrounding agricultural community in honor of Col. Henry M. Ashby, a Tennessee field commander with whom he had served during the war. Moore operated a ranch in the community, as well as a general store that housed the post office where he served as postmaster from 1890 until 1902. He also freighted supplies by boat at a time when the Colorado raft (logjam) made area creeks, such as Wilson Creek, more navigable. An active member of the community, Moore donated land for the Ashby Methodist Church and the Ashby Cemetery. Concurrent to Ashby's development, a group of freed slaves established the nearby Wilson Creek Community. Residents there organized the Christ Chief St. Mary's Baptist Church and built a sanctuary where, as with the Methodist and Baptist churches in Ashby, local children also attended school. The combined Ashby-Wilson Creek Community showed economic promise in the early 20th century, with cotton gins, stores and warehouses, but the population gradually declined. When the raft was cleared and the Colorado River became navigable, Wilson Creek was no longer viable. Plans for a railroad connecting Wilson creek to the Colorado were abandoned. The resulting economic downturn, coupled with wartime population shifts to other towns in the 1940s, led to the now sparse habitation of the area. Still, descendants of early residents remain, as do the memories of the many men and women who made their lives here. (2002) #12862
FM 1095 at CR 355, Blessing, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02570
Hotel Blessing. Built 1906 for landseekers, as well as a family home for prominent developers, Jonathan E. Pierce and son, Abel B. Pierce. Town and hotel were named out of gratitude for era of railroads and gulf coast development. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 #2570
?, Blessing, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03741
Old Hawley Cemetery. Known 1838-1899 as Deming's Bridge Cemetery. Second post office in Matagorda county was located nearby in 1858. Two acres donated by Emelius Savage and his son Norman for the cemetery and Tres Palacios Baptist Church, founded 1852. More land given by Jonathan E. Pierce, who in 1900 named area Hawley, honoring United States senator Robert Bradley Hawley. Buried here are the brothers Jonathan E. and Abel H. ("Shang") Pierce and many other famous early cattlemen; also, more than 50 veterans of Civil War and all U.S. wars since 1865. (1967) #3741
?, Blessing, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05283
The A. B. Pierce Home. Built 1909 for A.B. Pierce, who with father cofounded town of blessing in 1902. Pierce was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. He and wife, Adelaide, had four sons. Home was gathering place for area civic leaders. The Rt. Rev. C.S. Quin, Episcopal Bishop, Diocese of Texas, often visited here. Mrs. Pierce was co-organizer and first president, Matagorda county federation of women's clubs -- founded in this home, 1916. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1968 #5283
?, Blessing, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #411. Hall built 1875 at Deming's Bridge, near Pierce Ranch, by John Pierce and Masonic brothers. First floor used as Baptist church and community hall. Moved about 1903 when town of blessing was founded. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965
Masonic Lodge #411. Hall built 1875 at Deming's Bridge, near Pierce Ranch, by John Pierce and Masonic brothers. First floor used as Baptist church and community hall. Moved about 1903 when town of blessing was founded. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 #3243
?, Blessing, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01203
Deming's Bridge Community The Deming's Bridge community grew up around a wooden bridge built over the Tres Palacios River at this site in 1857 for Edward A. Deming, owner of land along the west side of the stream. The crossing provided by Deming's Bridge became a natural gathering place for settlers of western Matagorda County. Tres Palacios Baptist Church, site of many community activities, was established on the east side of the river. The Deming's Bridge Post Office opened in 1858, with Edwin A. Deming serving as postmaster until it was discontinued in 1866. Reinstated in 1872, the post office name was changed to Hawley in 1899. It closed again in 1903 when it was moved to the new settlement of Blessing (2 miles west). A Masonic hall, established in 1874, was also moved to Blessing after location of the railroad there caused a population shift. Hawley Cemetery originated as a two-acre plot of land called Deming's Bridge Cemetery. Among the burials are the graves of brothers and noted cattle ranchers Abel Head "Shanghai" Pierce (1834-1900) and Jonathan Edwards Pierce (1839-1915). Jonathan Pierce donated land to enlarge the cemetery and was instrumental in changing its name in 1898 in honor of Texas Senator Robert B. Hawley (1849-1921). Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #1203
?, Blessing, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #13257
Blessing Library Association. In the first years of the 20th century, Jonathan Pierce filed a deed with the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad (Southern Pacific) to lay out a town along the rail line at the junction of two major roads. He named the community Blessing, and a second rail company soon built additional tracks through town. In 1912, concerned about the educational and cultural needs of the community, local women established the Blessing Library Association. Edna Woodruff served as the group's first president. Two years later, the association joined the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs, assisting in the organization of the Matagorda County Federation of Women's Clubs in 1916. In 1917, prominent rancher and businessman A.B. Pierce, son of the town founder, donated a former ranch building that had also served as an office and bank. The association converted it to library facilities. Under the direction of Pierce's wife, Adelaide, who also served as president of the county federation, the association funded construction of a community house in 1921. It became a social and cultural center for the town, and was the scene of dances, movies, vaudeville performances, plays, graduations, concerts, immunization programs and many important activities. In the 1950s, the association reorganized as a non-profit charitable corporation, thus ending its longtime partnership with the women's club. The new group continued to offer the community house for events, meetings and services. In 1991, the facilities transferred to Matagorda County, which maintains the property as a social and activity center for Blessing-area residents. (2005) #13257
Ave B, 10th St, Blessing, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #12054
Blessing State Bank. Built during the boom of 1907, the Blessing State Bank is one of the few remaining commercial buildings from this period. Possibly designed by Victoria architect Jules Leffland, designer of the Blessing Hotel, the bank operated until 1932. Blessing was without a bank until 1966, when it was restored to its original function and appearance. An asymmetrical entry, arched windows, flat roof, and stately feeling reflect a classic early 20th-century bank building. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1997 #12054
?, Blessing, TX, United States