Texas Historical Marker #00541
Bruce-Davis House. Alabama-born Madison Jones, who donated land in Cresson for a school and a Methodist church, had this neighborhood platted in 1889. He sold this lot to Richard Bruce (1849-1895), a stock raiser from a pioneer Johnson County family. Bruce built this modest frame house and embellished the structure with decorative porch trim. The interior has beaded walls and ceilings. After Bruce's death, his widow Mary (Wood) (1852-1924) married James F. Davis (1846-1928). They continued to occupy the residence, which has been enlarged three times. #541
?, Cresson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02196
Goforth Graves. Burial place of 4 people, on land settled in 1857 by J.L. and Elizabeth Goforth. A 2-year old son, John L. Goforth, Jr., was buried here 1863, while Goforth was in 18th Texas Calvary, in Civil War. Chadwick family, neighbors, also used this cemetery. Recorded, 1966. #2196
US 377, N of Cresson, Cresson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01204
Dennis Methodist Church. N.M. Dennis moved to Parker County from Boston, Massachusetts, in the 1890s and established Dennis Community on the Brazos River (12 miles southwest). This sanctuary, originally located on land he donated to members of the Dennis Methodist Church, was constructed there in 1907. Church activities were important events in the community. Revivals were conducted each summer in a tabernacle adjacent to the chapel. A "dinner on the grounds" and an afternoon of singing and fellowship often followed Sunday services. The congregation welcomed new pastors and their families with a party in their honor. Called, "poundings" because members brought gifts of food, usually in one pound amounts, the celebrations were held at the church parsonage in Weatherford. The population of Dennis started to decline in the 1960s. As people moved from the area, church membership also dropped and the congregation was disbanded in June 1970. The Texas Refinery Corporation of Fort Worth bought the building in 1976 and moved it to this site. It was renamed Founder's Chapel in honor of A.M. Pate, Sr. and Carl Wollner, organizers of the company. (1980) #1204
US 377, N of Cresson, Cresson, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05153
Sunshine Special's "Ellsmere". One of most elegant private cars in the world when it was built in 1914 for the personal use of Dr. W.S. Webb, president of Wagner Palace Car Company. When New York Central's "20th Century Limited" express broke New York-Chicago rail passenger speed record in 1932, this was that train's rear car. Owned 1920-1961 by T. & P. Railway. Presented in 1962 to Fort Worth Children's Museum. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966. #5153
US 377 N of Cresson, Cresson, TX, United States
Cresson School Approximately ten years after settlers began moving to this area, Hood County was formed from part of Johnson County in 1866. Cresson was platted in the late 1880s, and surveyor Madison Jones later deeded land at this site for school purposes. Cresson, like many of the rural communities surrounding it, started its school programs in one-room schoolhouses. Cresson's was located just west of this site and was torn down in 1890 when a two-story frame structure was erected here. This schoolhouse was used until 1918, when it was replaced by a larger, red brick building that burned years later in October 1930. Students attended classes at local churches while the school district worked to build a new schoolhouse. The M.l. Wallace & Co. architectural firm from Dallas served as designer, and county school superintendent Victor B. Penuel chose the appearance for the new school building. The yellow-brick, mission revival schoolhouse was completed in 1931, with an auditorium and four large classrooms. Design elements include cartouches and decorative elements in window surrounds. Fund-raisers held during subsequent years added a kitchen and indoor restroom facilities. In July 1965, a severe storm damaged several buildings in Cresson, and lightning struck the school. The central parapet on the main façade, designed to resemble the curved parapet of the Alamo in San Antonio, was damaged and later replaced. After Cresson consolidated with Granbury schools in 1967, the school building sat abandoned; a community group organized in the late 1970s to work for its restoration. Today, the school serves as a community center and as a link to Cresson's early educational programs. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2003
116 North Crook Street, Cresson, TX, United States