Series 'Texas Historical Marker'

Marcelina Community. Located on the Old San Antonio-Indianola Road, this rural settlement, named for nearby Marcelinas Creek, began in late 1873, when Wiley R. Franklin (1837-93) bought land in the area (1.5 miles S) and built a small horse-powered cotton gin. In 1874, a Baptist congregation was organized, holding services in the home of Gabriel Moffit; a one-teacher school opened in 1875; and the cemetery was begun in 1882 with the death of Martin Donaho. William Y. Elkins established a mercantile store in 1886, and was named postmaster when the post office opened on Feb. 1, 1887. By the mid-1890s, Marcelina had 2 stores, 2 cotton gins, a blacksmith and wheelwright shop, gristmill, large school and church buildings, and several homes. From the beginning, the local economic base had been agriculture, primarily cotton production, but in 1901, the crops became infested with boll weevils and the prosperous community began to decline. Improvements in transportation diverted trade to Floresville (5.5 miles W), and the advent of rural mail delivery caused the post office to close on Oct. 1, 1906. All that remains of the Marcelina Community are the cemetery and the Baptist Church. The present sanctuary was erected in 1935. (1974) #3203

SH 97 NE of Floresville, Floresville, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03204

Capt. R. B. Marcy Trail. State recognition of the Captain R. B. Marcy Trail marker as an Official Texas Historical Marker has been announced by Mrs. Sue Barfield Chairman of the Haskell County Historical Survey Committee. The marker is located 6.5 miles south of Haskell, Highway 27. Sponsored by the American Legion - Haskell Post at the time of its erection in about 1934, the marker commemorates the approximate spot where the Marcy Trail intersects the present highway. #3204

?, Haskell vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03205

Marcy Trail. Captain R. B. Marcy commissioned in 1840 by the Federal government to establish a less hazardous route with good water on an even terrain, to be more direct from Fort Smith thru Santa Fe to the gold fields of California. This historical marker was dedicated on the path by the Rotary Club of Borger Texas, June 19, 1956. (1956) #3205

?, Borger, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03206

Marcy Trail. Plotted in 1849 by a U. S. Army surveying expedition under Capt. Randolph B. Marcy. Guided by Manuel, a Comanche Indian, Marcy crossed the dreaded staked plains of West Texas, proving their feasibility for travel, and opening a new and shorter road west. Marcy's trail from Dona Ana, N. M., to Fort Smith, Ark., became a major road to the California gold fields. Later the overland stage followed it for about 125 miles and in 1881, Texas and Pacific Railroad built along part of the route. #3206

IH 20, E of Midland 5mi., Midland, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03207

Marcy Trail. Mapped 1849 by U.S. Army Capt. Randolph B. Marcy. Used for California gold rush; export of buffalo hides; West Texas settlers; cattle drives; 1859 Indian exodus from Texas. Route connected Texas Ranger frontier posts. Wagon ruts, water stops visible 3 miles to west. Erected by the Archer County Historical Survey Committee, 1967. #3207

?, Windthorst, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03208

Marfa Lights. The Marfa Lights, mysterious and unexplained lights that have been reported in the area for over one hundred years, have been the subject of many theories. The first recorded sighting of the lights was by rancher Robert Ellison in 1883. Variously explained as campfires, phosphorescent minerals, swamp gas, static electricity, St. Elmo's fire, and "ghost lights", the lights reportedly change colors, move about, and change in intensity. Scholars have reported over seventy-five local folk tales dealing with the unexplained phenomenon. (1988) #3208

?, Marfa, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03209

Marfa Stockyards. Built in 1920 by the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway company, the Marfa stockyards provided a central shipping point for livestock raised in Presidio, Jeff Davis, and Brewster counties. As many as 70,000 head of cattle were shipped from these pens in a single year. The facilities were enlarged in 1929 to handle the great volume of business. By the 1930s sheep and goats were also being shipped from here. Although business declined after the introduction of trucking to the area, the stockyards are still used to weigh animals prior to shipment. (1988) #3209

?, Marfa, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03210

Margaret Meacham Hall. Named in honor of Mrs. H.C. Meacham, charter member and many years a Director of Fort Worth Woman's Club. House built, 1905, by J.F. Moore; sold, 1920, to Baptist Hospital as Nurses Residence. Bought by Woman's Club, 1949, giving club entire block. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967. #3210

1326 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03211

Marie. Settlement of this area of Runnels County began at the end of the 19th century. Attracted by the good climate and farmland, Charlie Black (1868-1946) arrived in the area in 1899. Another early settler was Walter Gentry, and when a post office was established in 1906 the community was named in honor of Gentry's wife, Marie. The settlement remained very small, with a few houses, a store, gin, blacksmith shop, and school, which also served for worship services on Sundays. The community gradually disappeared as people moved to larger towns. #3211

Off SH 158 about 23 mi. W of Ballinger, Ballinger, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03212

Marienfeld. Former name of Stanton. Begun as German colony by 5 German Catholics from Kansas, who pitched tents here, near new Texas & Pacific Railroad in 1881. The site -- with a water tank, section house, telegraph office bore name Grelton, but settlers had it changed to Marienfeld, German for "Field of Mary." County was created 1876 and named for Wylie Martin, senator in Republic of Texas. When the county organized, town became county seat. First commissioners court met here December 13, 1884. Through Protestant influence, town was renamed Stanton, 1870. (1970) #3212

?, Stanton, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03213

Site of Marion Packing Co.. The ruins of this rendering vat mark the location of the Marion Packing Co. (spelled "Meriam" in some records), one of the dozen or more meat packing plants built in the Rockport-Fulton area in the 1860s and 1870s to process the huge herds of range cattle that roamed Texas after the Civil War. Here beef was dried, salted, or pickled before shipping. The by-products such as tallow, hides, horns, and bones were sent to eastern factories. Like most of the coastal plants, Marion Packing Co. flourished until about 1880, when shipping cattle to northern markets proved more profitable. (1976) #3213

?, Fulton, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03214

Marion Loyd Homestead. In 1859 brothers Marion (1835-1927) and James Loyd (1837-1922) of Illinois purchased this site. Marion built a log house to which their father John and several younger children came to live. Marion married Friendsina Cheshier (1841-1870) in 1862 and had four children. In 1879 he married his brother Thomas' (1848-1873) widow Ann Haney Loyd (1853-1912) and had three children. Marion was a farmer, area leader, and organizer of Loyd school. His deep soft water well made his home a gathering place for neighbors and travelers. Loyd descendants remain on the land. (1980) #3214

Ragland Rd., Grand Prairie, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03215

Marion Public Schools. The town of Marion, a German settlement, was founded in 1877 as a marketing and shipping point for the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railroad. T. W. Peirce donated $3,000 and land for free public schools in Marion. In 1878 the first schoolhouse was built. In 1917 a brick building facing Cunningham Street replaced the first school. In 1938 a third building was constructed by the Works Progress Administration. As student enrollment increased, the grades were split into three schools. The community continues the tradition of strong support of its district schools. (1996) #3215

?, Marion, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03216

Marion Wesley (Baldy) Crowell. Born in DeSoto. In World War I, served with distinction in Co. C, 111th Rngineers, A. E. F. Moved to Louise, 1933. Married Jessie Thomas, 1936. Was twice commander, Craig-Harriss Post, American Legion. First president Louise Chamber of Commerce. A leader in religious, civic and political affairs. "Leave it to Baldy," (a tribute by Senator culp Krueger): Leave it to Baldy, oft heard refrain. Accomplished by Baldy--his claim to fame. Country boy with a gentle air; for others always time to spare. Served his community, fellow man; worked in harmony with God's plan. "Leave it to Baldy!" rings in our ears, our charge, our challenge through coming years. (1965) #3216

Center and Third St., Louise, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03217

Market House Museum. Site was dedicated to public use by City Ordinance No. 28, on Aug. 30, 1853. About 1871, market with 12 x2 4-ft. stalls was put up at cost of $550, and rented to sellers of meat and produce. In 1886 this became firehouse, with a meeting hall and a room for hook and ladder equipment. Bell bought 1890 for $45 rang night hours and sounded alarms. Home until 1964 of volunteer fire company, this building was restored in 1967 as a museum. Recorded Texas Hitoric Landmark--1968 Incise on base: Marker sponsored by Volunteer Firemen and Auxiliary. #3217

?, Goliad, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03218

Market Square. Established 1898 when 11 men, not waiting for an expenditure of public money, donated this land to the county "forever". Carries on tradition of "First Monday" (day used for trading in 1890s). Still used for trade of cattle, produce, and gossip among Johnson countians. #3218

?, Cleburne, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03219

Market Square. First mapped in 1825 as "Jail Square," but became Market Square prior to 1836, and has served this purpose ever since; while that block, first mapped as "Market Square," became "Jail Square." The squares of Gonzales. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966 #3219

?, Gonzales, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03220

Markley Cemetery Decoration Day. Cemetery was begun in 1881, with interment of M. C. Norfleet, adjacent to the old Plum Grove School. By 1890, the burial ground had fallen to neglect. A group of men from the surrounding rural community, including J. C. Calvin, J. W. Cox, R. E. Currie, S. G. Dean, Nelson Owen, M. A. Stewart, Andy and Ike Tinney, J. M. Wallace, and W. M. Watson, organized an annual "Graveyard Working Day", to be held on the first Saturday in May. In the early years, people came by wagon and horseback, some camping overnight. After the cleaning work had been completed bouquets of wildflowers were replaced on the graves. About 1900, the settlement was named "Markley", in honor of A. C. Markley, an area landowner who had served in the frontier army during the Indian wars. In 1925, the observation was changed to the first Sunday in May. Although a perpetual care program has been initiated, decoration ceremonies have persisted as an annual social event, preserving a heritage of community cohesiveness and participation. Among the grave decorated each year are those of thirteen Confederate veterans of the Civil War: John F. Bussey, J. C. Butler, Jessie Byrd, R. E. Currie, George J. Lucas, J. D. Mankins, J. L. McDaniel, J. L. Norfleet, Nelson Owen, J.C. Stanley, James Stinnett, Cates Thompson, and David White. #3220

SH 16, 20 Mile N of Graham, Graham, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03221

Marlin. In 1851, one year after Falls County was created, the town of Marlin was designated county seat. Formerly known as Adams, it was renamed for area pioneer John Marlin. The first courthouse was a log structure which also served as a school and community gathering place. A post office was established in 1851, the city was incorporated in 1867, and railroad service began in the 1870s. The discovery of hot mineral water wells in 1892 caused an economic boom. Spas, hotels, and hospitals were built, and Marlin was a noted health resort for the next fifty years. #3221

?, Marlin, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03223

Marrow Bone Spring. An Indian habitat in the 1700s or earlier, Marrow Bone Spring in 1843 was visited by President Sam Houston's envoys seeking peace. A trading post licensed by the Texas Republic opened in 1845 near the Spring. Hiram Blackwell of the Peters Colony pioneered here before 1848. Soldier-statesman Middleton Tate Johnson (1810-1866) posted troops nearby in the late 1840s. The first Post Office in Tarrant County opened on Oct. 31, 1851, at Johnson's Station. In 1852 Blackwell sold Johnson his rights to land surrounding the spring. The Village of Johnson's Station flourished for many years. (1979) #3223

Matlock and Arkansas St., Arlington, TX, United States