Series 'Texas Historical Marker'

Magoffinsville. One of four population centers during the early period of American settlement of the present El Paso area, Magoffinsville was founded by Kentucky native James Wiley Magoffin (1799-1868). In 1849, he began acquiring land in this vicinity. The headquarters of his property was at Magoffin and Willow streets (10 blks. E). There he built a large home and buildings to serve his trading, ranching, and farming activities. Magoffinsville became the center of social and business activities for the area and travelers often were given rest in the Magoffin home. From 1854 until 1868, Fort Bliss, a United States Army post, was located at Magoffinsville on leased land. During the Civil War, Magoffin's property was confiscated by Federal forces and his home was badly damaged. After the war, Magoffin, in poor health, moved to San Antonio, where he died in 1868. The following year his widow, Dolores, and eldest son, Joseph, regained some of the property. Joseph began selling parcels of the land and by 1873 was an organizer of the El Paso Real Estate Trust and Immigration Company. His home at this site (1110 Magoffin Avenue), although not a part of Magoffinsville, was built in 1875 in the style of the original Magoffin Home. (1985) #3184

1110 Magoffin Ave., El Paso, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03185

Magruder-Cannon-Bryan Home. Civil War veteran Dr. Fortunatus B. Magruder, a successful Austin county physician, had this double galleried residence built at Sealy (15 miles southeast) in 1882. Rancher Oliver Green Cannon purchased the home in 1889 and it remained in his family until 1906, when it was sold to Sealy merchant W.L. Gray. It was later owned by his sister Lula Gray and niece Fay Bryan, the wife of county judge W.D. Bryan. The home was moved to this site in 1969. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1982 #3185

?, Bellville, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03186

Maids and Matrons Club. In 1906, three years after the founding of Brownfield, eleven women gathered together to form a club. Named Maids and Matrons, the club became primarily a study group in 1907, and the members founded the town's first library that year. Affiliated with the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs in 1915, the club continued to operate at the library and supported numerous civic causes. When the Kendrick Memorial County Library was organized in 1957, the club donated their 3,000-volume collection of books to form the nucleus of the institution's holdings. #3186

702 E. Broadway, Brownfield, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03187

Maigne-Walther House. Raised cottage with parapeted balustrade. Built 1869 by Charles Mainge. Siding and floors are of pine; interior walls, cypress. Foundations and fireplaces are of handmade bricks. Square nails were used in construction. Several short-term ownerships were followed by sale in 1910 to R. H. Walther, a bookkeeper and merchant, who served 1914-26 on staff of county tax collector. His daughters Grace and Rosanna Walther now own, preserve house. RTHL - 1973 #3187

904 Live Oak Street, Columbus, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03188

Site of Mail Relay Station. (500 yards west) By 1903, W.J. (1858-1930) and Mary E. (1863-1958) French had built a two-story home near this site, and it was a stop for freighters from the Texas & Pacific Railroad. Freighter rigs usually consisted of two wagons drawn by several horses, and the Frenches offered a campground, water, hot meals and a horse pen. Cattle drovers also rested here on their way through the area. In 1905, the French home became a stop along a mail route from Lamesa, known then as Chicago, through Brownfield to Gomez, a 40-mile trip. The mail hacks also carried passengers. The mail service was discontinued in 1910 when the mail was rerouted. (1973, 2006) #3188

14.5 mi. SE on SH 137, Brownfield, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03189

Main Street Bridges. A number of bridges have been built over Salado Creek on Main Street since 1870. After the town of Salado was laid out in 1859, citizens crossed the creek using various combinations of rocks and logs. When local citizens and students at Salado College began to demand that a proper bridge be constructed across the creek, town officials voted to issue bonds to fund the project. The first bridge, built in 1868-69, was constructed by local volunteers. The cable wire suspension footbridge, with cedar crossbars and a wooden plank floor, was destroyed in a 1900 flood. The second bridge, a larger structure which would accommodate wagon as well as foot travel, was an iron bridge built by the King Bridge Company in 1892. Located a few yards west of the suspension footbridge, it rested on piers of rock and mortar, and was destroyed in a flood in 1913. Replaced a year later, the duplicate bridge was washed away in a 1921 flood. A concrete bridge was built across the creek in 1922. Anchored with reinforced steel set into the rock creek bed, it proved to be a more permanent solution than previous efforts to bridge the stream and continues to be a focal point in the town. (1986) #3189

?, Salado, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03190

Main Supply Camp on Historic Mackenzie Trail. Trail followed by Gen. Ranald Mackenzie, U.S. 4th Cavalry in 1871 frontier campaign. He camped at Dewey Lake after brush with Indians. In 1872, he was again ordered to ferret out the Comanches. From his main supply camp on Brazos River Freshwater Fork (now White River), he launched a drive against Quanah Parker. Ended with fights in Palo Duro and Tule Canyons, last battles between Indians and Cavalry in this area; opened the Plains to white settlement. 1967 #3190

?, Crosbyton, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03191

Major George Littlefield. Came to Texas 1850. In Civil War, with Terry's Texas Rangers fought at Shiloh, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and other bloody battles. Helped open South Plains, the Panhandle and New Mexico to ranching. His "LIT" and "LFD" herds were famed all over the west and in Canada. Became Austin banker, devoted friend and benefactor to the University of Texas. Financed studies, donated property and established the Littlefield grant for Southern History. Founded town of Littlefield. #3191

US 84, Littlefield, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03192

Major George Morse Collinsworth. Commander of the Texans at the capture of Goliad, October 9, 1835. Born in Mississippi, died April 18, 1866. #3192

?, Matagorda, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03193

Major James Kerr. Born in Danville, Ky.; served in War of 1812 and as sheriff, state representative, state senator in Missouri. Came to Texas as DeWitt Colony's surveyor-general; laid out town of Gonzales, July 1825. In 1827 moved to Jackson County, which he represented in 1832, 1833 conventions, serving in 1833 on committee to draft constitution for proposed state of Texas. On July 17, 1835, was chairman of the Lavaca-Navidad meeting, an early public protest against Mexican authorities' mistreatment of settlers. Served in Republic of Texas Congress in 1838-1839. He was also a practicing physician. #3193

?, Edna, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03194

Major Robert S. Neighbors. As Indian agent, forceful peacemaker and humanist, Maj. Neighbors had more influence over Texas' Indians than any other man of his era; came to Texas in 1836. He served as quartermaster in Texas army, 1839-41. While on Texas Ranger duty in San Antonio, 1842, he was taken as a prisoner of war to Mexico by Gen. Adrian Woll and spent 18 months in Perote Prison. Began his service to the Indians in 1845. As agent for Lipan-Apache and Tonkawa tribes, he used field system of control, visiting Indian homes, learning a red man's way of life, improving living condition, helping them to trade. He ably defended their rights, was counselor and friend, and sought new homes for them, never faltering in commitment to their safety. As a Texas commissioner in 1850 he organized El Paso County; he was also a state representative, 1851-1852, and a presidential elector in 1852. Major Neighbors later became the supervising agent for all of the Indians in Texas. Frontier civilians and soldiers failed to support his Indian policies. Many became hostile. On Sept. 14, 1859, he was murdered near here by a white man as he was returning after safely removing all reservation Indians from Texas. He was buried in Belknap Cemetery (1/2 mile E. of Town). #3194

SH 251, S of Newcastle, Newcastle, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03195

Majors Home. One of first brick houses here. Built 1883 by Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Hodgson, son-in-law and daughter of Gen. Tom Green, Texas hero. Later the home of Winfield Scott, millionaire rancher, and W.T. Scott, a promoter, T. & P. Railroad. Owned since 1902 by Dr. Majors' Family. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966, #3195

425 Chestnut St., Colorado City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03196

Manautou House. Enrique Manautou (1885-1962) had this residence built for his family in 1925 by Brownsville architect Edward Guy Holliday (1891-1961). A native of Mexico, Manautou became one of the city's most prominent retail merchants and civic leaders. Manautou's family continued to reside in the house after his death. The Brownsville landmark features a hipped tile roof with broad eaves and is a rare Texas example of the Prairie School style of architecture. #3196

5 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03197

Mansfield Methodist Church. This congregation was established in Mansfield in 1885 by 14 charter families who had migrated to Texas from other parts of the U.S. Worship services were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church until a one-room frame building was constructed on North First Street in 1890. The Mansfield church was named as head of circuit for the Methodist Church and the Rev. E.D.L. Tims was appointed as minister. The Mansfield congregation also built a large tabernacle in 1891 and shared it with other churches in town for summer revival meetings. A storm destroyed the one-room sanctuary in 1903. A larger edifice was built in 1904, and featured arched stained glass windows and a bell tower, and served the congregation until it burned in 1942. A brick church structure was completed in 1945, largely by community labor. Later, five acres were purchased on Pleasant Ridge and a larger facility was built and dedicated in 1981 to house the growing membership. The church has supported community service programs including boy scouts, outreach for those in need, missionary ministries, and Christian day care facilities. The first Methodist Church of Mansfield continues to serve the area as it has for more than 110 years. (1996) #3197

601 Pleasant Ridge Road, Mansfield, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03198

Mansfield Mill. Julian Feild (1825-1897) and Ralph Mann (1825-1906) became acquainted in Harrison County, Texas, about 1850. About 1854 they built a mill near the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River. The two business partners came south of Fort Worth in 1856 and at this site found the ruins of a mill that had ben constructed by Charles Turner. With the help of local settlers and brickmaker S.W.A. Hook (1836-1917), Mann and Feild built a three-story steam-powered wheat and corn mill during the winter of 1859-60. The mill attracted business from San Antonio to the Oklahoma Territory. The community that developed around the mill was given the name "Mansfeild" (now Mansfield). During the Civil War, The Confederate Government collected for its use a certain proportion of the mill's output. After the War, Government contracts were secured to supply flour for Federal forts. Julian Feild sold his interest in the mill in 1874. The mill continued in operation until the early part of the 20th century. The site has been used since that time as a Memorial to World War I veterans and for municipal offices. It is a historic site as the beginning of the City of Mansfield. (1985) #3198

100 East Broad St., Mansfield, TX, United States

Subjects

Ralph Sandiford Mann
(1825-1907) founder of Mansfield, TX

Julian Feild
(1825-1897)

Texas Historical Marker #03199

Joseph Jefferson Mansfield. (Feb. 9, 1861 - July 12, 1947) Born in Wayne County, West Virginia, as Beauregard Mansfield. His name was changed to Joseph Jefferson Mansfield for his father, a Confederate colonel who was killed soon after Mansfield's birth. Mansfield came to Texas in 1881, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1886, and opened a law office in Eagle Lake (11 miles SE). While in Eagle Lake, he served as mayor, city attorney, and newspaper editor, and in 1888, married Annie Scott Bruce. The couple had 3 children. In 1892, Mansfield was elected county attorney and moved to Columbus, where in 1896, he was elected county judge. During his tenure as judge, in 1912-13, Mansfield served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas Masons. In 1916, he was elected to the United States Congress. As a congressman, Mansfield served as the Chairman of the House Rivers and Harbors Committee, which was responsible for federal funding of flood control on the Colorado River. Mansfield Dam (95 miles NW), constructed in 1934, was named in his honor. Early in 1947, Mansfield donated this property to Columbus for construction of a public Library. He died in Washington, D.C. and many dignitaries, including congressman (and later president) Lyndon B. Johnson, attended the funeral in Columbus. Burial was at Eagle Lake. #3199

930 Travis Street, Columbus, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03200

Manuel Guerra Home and Store. German architect Heinrich Portscheller (1840-1915) built this modified classic-revival structure for Manuel Guerra (1856-1915) in 1884. Early local example of sand-struck, hand-cast brick construction. Once used as residence and store, it remains in Guerra family. #3200

Main Plaza and Portsheller St., Roma, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03201

Marathon. Fort Pena Colorada, the last active fort in this area, on the old Comanche Trail, about 4 miles to the southwest was established in 1879. Marathon was founded in 1881. Named by an old sea captain, A.E. Shepard, for the Plain of Marathon, in Greece, of which the hills here reminded him. Cradle of West Texas cattle industry. Among the first noted ranchers here were Mayer M. Halff and brother, owners of the famous Circle Dot brand. Original gateway to the Big Bend National Park. (1964) #3201

?, Marathon, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03202

Marathon Oil Company Discovery Well. Opening one of greatest oil fields in the world, Mid-Kansas Oil and Gas Company (a subsidiary wholly owned by the Ohio Oil Company, whose name has now been changed to Marathon Oil Company) brought in the I. G. Yates "A" No. 1 well on October 29, 1926. The well at the shallow depth of 1,150 feet had a rated potential daily flow of 72,869 barrels. Previously oil men had said: "You won't find any oil west of the Pecos." This did not stop the work of Mid-Kansas Oil and Gas Company and its partner, Transcontinental Oil Company, later acquired by Marathon Oil Company. The strike was sensational. Scarcely more than a year later, the Yates field had 100 wells--two of which had higher yields than Yates No. 1. Under the 20,000-acres Ira G. Yates ranch and adjoining lands lay one of the largest oil reserves in the world. The many developers voluntarily adopted proration. Their plans for allocating and restricting Yates fields production were approved by the Texas Railroad Commission in 1928. This was the first complete commission in 1928. This was the first complete proration of an oil field in the state --and an important milestone in petroleum conservation. The Yates field now has 607 wells. #3202

US 190/SH 349, Iraan, TX, United States