Series 'Texas Historical Marker'

Mission San Juan Capistrano. Founded in March, 1731, by Franciscan Missionaries on the banks of the San Antonio River; Named for St. John of Capistrano, who in 1456 lead a European religious crusade that saved the city of Belgrade from infidels. Mission San Juan was a succesor to mission San Jose De Los Nazonis, established in 1716 in east Texas. It moved here due to the difficulty of defense. One of a complex of missions, San Juan was dovoted to the cultral and religious conversion of the Coahuiltecan-speaking indians of south Texas. During the uncertain early years, buildings were constructed, crops planted, and the Indians had to be continually prsuaded to stay long enough to reap the benefits of civilizaton apache raids, cholera and smallpox epidemis, and harassment by the Civil authorities also plagued the missions constantly. By 1762, however, San Juan had surplus harvests of corn, cotton, beans, chili peppers, watermelons,and cantaloupes. It also owned numerous cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. The 203 resident indians lived in thatched huts; the chapel and convent were of stone. The mission was secularized in 1794. In 1967, when the buildings were restored, many artifacts relating to the three centuries of occupancy were unearthed. #3416

9101 Graf Rd., San Antonio, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03417

Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba. This building was originally built as a presidio or fort and the Mission was apart from it. After the Mission was attacked and burned by Indians, all personnel moved into the presidio. #3417

Off US 190 at Menard Country Club, Menard, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03418

Mission Valley. Following Texas Emancipation in 1865, many freed slaves remained in this area on their former masters' farms. By 1869 blacks had organized a church and a school on the north bank of Hondo Creek (about 2 mi. N). Beginning in 1876, landowner L.L. White (d. 1889) sold small farm plats on the north and south banks of Hondo Creek exclusively to blacks. White, an abolitionist before the Civil War, was a native of Massachusetts and settler in Henri Castro's colony. The community on the south bank was named Mission Valley by Austin Grant, one of the first settlers. Residents on both banks of Hondo Creek established common facilities within walking distance of both settlements. Before 1881 their church building housed both Methodist and Baptist congregations and the school. Cottonwood Cemetery overlooks the creek, its oldest tombstone dates 1886. Emancipation Oak was the site of Emancipation Day pilgrimages on June 19. Many of the settlers and the Methodist church moved to the new railroad town of Hondo (2 mi. SW) after 1881. The Baptist church moved to Hondo in 1904. Descendants of the first settlers lived at Mission Valley until 1942, when a U.S. Army air field was built here. The site was made a Hondo city park after 1948. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986. #3418

?, Hondo, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03419

Missouri Colony. In 1844 related families from Platte County, Missouri, settled in this area. James Gibson, one of the earliest settlers in Tarrant County, owned this site. In 1845 more relatives and friends arrived. They became known as the "Missouri Colony". The pioneers raised cattle and grain. John. A Freeman taught school and preached to the settlers at Lonesome Dove. Some original colonists moved to pioneer other frontier regions. Others remained to help build the northeastern section of Tarrant County, the first permanently settled area in the county. (1979) #3419

?, Grapevine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03420

Mitchel Putnam. Star and Wreath Veteran, Texas War for Independence. Wounded at San Jacinto, 1836. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962 #3420

?, Gonzales, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03421

Mitchell Bend Cemetery. The Mitchell Bend of the Brazos River and this area of Hood County are named for an early settler, Nelson Cooney Mitchell. He was convicted of a murder arising out of a feud with the Truett Family in 1874 and was hanged one year later. Mitchell is buried in this cemetery, as are many other pioneer settlers and their descendants. The earliest marked grave is that of one year old James Earnest, who died in November 1872. According to local tradition, however, some of the unmarked graves may date to before the civil war. (1989) #3421

FM 2425, Granbury vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03422

Mitchell Cemetery. Although nearly every trace of this pioneer cemetery has been erased, about twelve burials have been identified through written records. First used in the summer of 1848 for the burial of the 18-month-old son of Peters' Colonist John B. York, the cemetery was named for a later owner of the property, Eli Mitchell. Among the Tarrant County pioneers buried here are John York, who became a County Sheriff, and Seaborne Gilmore, a Mexican War veteran who was Tarrant County's first elected County Judge. The historic cemetery is a significant part of the area's heritage. Sponsored by the North Fort Worth Historical Society. 1984 #3422

NE 28th & Decatur Ave., Fort Worth, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03423

Mitchell County. Settled after Indians left Texas in 1875. One of 129 counties created (Aug. 21, 1876) from Bexar Territory covering West Texas to the Panhandle and El Paso. Named for Mitchell Brothers, Asa and Eli, Texas War for Independence veterans. Organized Jan. 10, 1881 when the railroad came, making county seat Colorado City West Texas' "Mother City" and first boom town. Oil, sheep and cattle ranching center. Historic sites include Comanche Indian Village; seven wells, last buffalo watering hole. Annual events: Colorado City Frontier Roundup and Tumbleweed Festival. (1965) #3423

Oak and Third St., Colorado City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03424

Mitchell School. The citizens of Victoria voted to establish an Independent School District in an 1898 election. Immediate plans called for the building of eight schools: four for Anglos and four for African Americans. In 1901 school trustees hired prominent local architect Jules Leffland to design two buildings,and this site was acquired for the first Anglo high school. Named Central High School, it was completed in 1902. After secondary school students were reassigned to the new Patti Welder High School in 1918, the school at this site was renamed Third Ward School and served elementary grades. The name was changed again in 1922 to honor J.D. Mitchell (1848-1922), one of the school district's first trustees and a former city council member and state legislator. Leffland's imposing 3-story school building suffered major damage due to fires in 1935 and 1943, resulting in the removal of the third floor. Additional alterations occurred over the years to meet the changing needs of the facility. Although no longer in use as an elementary school, Mitchell School continues to serve as an educational center, housing classes of the Mitchell Guidance Center. (1995) #3424

306 E. Commercial, Victoria, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03425

Mitchell-Schoonover House. James E. Mitchell, a jeweler, demanded a high degree of skilled craftsmanship in the construction of this house. Completed in 1907, it was designed by the Fort Worth architectural firm of Sanguinet and Staats. A friend, Dr. Charles B. Simmons, purchased the property in 1920. Ownership of the home was transferred to his daughter Maurine and her husband Dr. Frank Schoonover in 1945. The occupied the residence until 1979. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark- 1979. #3425

600 S. 8th Ave., Fort Worth, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03426

Mobeetie. Oldest town in Texas Panhandle. Originally, a trading post, 2 miles south, 1874; moved nearer to Fort Elliott, 1875. Earlier called Sweetwater, was renamed in 1879. Courthouse was completed by Mark Huselby, first county tax assessor, and other citizens. Popular with hunters, cowboys, gamblers - town in1881 became judicial center of 35th District. Temple Houston, son of the hero Sam Houston, was district attorney and the first state senator for this district. After bypass by the Santa Fe Railroad (1888) and a destructive 1898 tornado, Mobeetie declined. (1967) #3426

SH 152 & FM 48, Mobeetie, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03427

Mobeetie First Baptist Church. Soon after Wheeler County was organized in 1879, a Union church was formed at Old Mobeetie (2 miles south). On April 2, 1894, the 13 Baptist members of the fellowship organized this church. Services were held in public buildings until 1919, when a sanctuary was built. After, the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railroad bypassed Old Mobeetie, the town declined, and the church building was moved here in 1942. Through its heritage of service to two communities, Old and New Mobeetie, the church has played a major role in the development of the surrounding area. (1983) #3427

1st and Hoover St., Mobeetie, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03428

Mobeetie Post Office. Early mail service in Wheeler County was established at Fort Elliott. In 1879, a U.S. post office opened in the town of Mobeetie, previously known as Sweetwater. George A. Montgomery served as the first postmaster. In 1928, after the town moved one-mile north to this present site on the Santa Fe line, a new post office was built. Rural mail routes were expanded in the 1930s to serve the increasing numbers of farm families, but decreased in later years after drought and harsh conditions led to the abandonment of some farms. (1989) #3428

W 1st Street, Mobeetie, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03429

Mobilization Site of Lost Battalion. Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th Division, Texas National Guard mobilized here November 1940, for active duty. Sailed from San Francisco, November 1941, was at sea when Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Went to defend Java where unit was captured March 1942. Prisoners in many parts of Asia for three and one-half years. Performed forced labor for Japanese, suffering untold hardships and starvation. 8 of original 63 died. Most deaths occurred building Burma-Siam Railway. Survivors returned after Japanese surrender. (1968) #3429

?, Jacksboro, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03430

Old Mobley Hotel. First hotel owned by Conrad Hilton, who proceeded to become "The World's Foremost Innkeeper". Built in 1916, who sold out (1919) during Cisco's great oil boom to Hilton, then a 32-year-old ex-legislator and banker from New Mexico. On night of purchase Hilton "dreamed of Texas wearing a chain of Hilton hotels". In time reality outran that dream. Hotel was in use many years after sale by Hilton in 1925. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970 #3430

104 E. 4th, Cisco, TX, United States

Subjects

Conrad Hilton
(1887-1979) hotelier

Old Mobley Hotel
(1916-present) hotel

Texas Historical Marker #03431

Moffat. Founded in 1857 by New York native Dr. Chauncy W. Moffet and his wife, Amelia, the town of Moffat came to be known by a misspelling of their name. A Union loyalist during the Civil War, Dr. Moffet was impressed into Confederate service, but later also served the Union. He disappeared mysteriously after returning to the Moffat community in 1868. The town was platted that year by D.F. and Calista Wiswell. Moffat soon had 3 churches, a school, a post office, stores, and small industries. The Moffat Cemetery, begun before the Civil War, is still in use. (1985) #3431

?, Temple vicinity, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03432

Moline School Site. The Moline community was settled on the north central boundary line of Lampasas County in the 1880s. Early families in the area were the Carswells, Cooks, Andersons, Woods, Bakers, O'Neals, Hairstons, Pattersons, Poes, Murphys, Adamses, and Woolseys. Children of the settlers attended school in Payne Gap (Mills County) or in the Gray community. Facilities at these schools grew too small to accommodate the number of children in the area. In 1916, Kenneth A. and Olive Patterson donated five acres of land for the Moline School. Prominently sited on a hill (100 yds. SE) overlooking the community, the original three-room building was constructed by G. C. O'Neal with the help of other citizens. From 1916 until 1949, Moline School grew to include five classrooms, a science lab, library, homemaking room, shop, lunchroom, and a four-room teacherage. During its peak enrollment in the early 1930s, Moline was the largest rural school in Lampasas County. Although the school closed in 1949 and Moline is now a ghost town, their history is an important part of the heritage of Lampasas County. #3432

?, Lometa, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03433

Mollie E. Moore. (1844-1909) During the Civil War, wrote poems Texans memorized, cut out of newspapers, sent their boys on the battlefront: about the deaths of heroes, Texans' units, Confederate victories and such topics. She also did social work and nursing at Camp Ford, Tyler. She was a lively, spirited girl who went horseback riding with a pistol strapped to her side. After war, became nationally known poet, novelist, columnist. Married a newspaper editor. Led New Orleans society 20 years. Near this marker site, at Old Mooresville (now Proctor) often visited her brother's family. (1965) #3433

?, Proctor, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03434

Monahans Sandhills State Park and Museum. In these shifting seas of sand, rich in stone evidences of primitive men, today's visitors find flint points, sandstone metates and manos of peoples who were here as early as 10,000 years ago and late as the 1870s. Bones of great mammoths and gigantic bison prove that this desert was in post-glacial times a land of lakes and tall grasses. Cabeza de Vaca in 1535 and Antonio de Espejo in 1583 encountered Jumanos, historic tribe which hunted here. In 1590 Castano de Sosa found a tribe he called Vaqueros because they lived by hunting cows (buffalo)--the tribe later called Apaches. For more than 100 years at this stop on great Comanche War Trail extending into Mexico. Apache fought Comanche for pools of water and acorns of dwarf Shinnery oak. The California or Emigrant Trail through the Sand Hills started with the gold rush. Was first mapped in September 1849 by Capt. Randolph B. Marcy, U. S. topographical engineers, and in 1854 by Capt. John Pope, who explored a railroad route toward the Pacific Ocean. 3,000 acres of Sand Hills were designated in 1957 as a state park, after acquisition and construction of museum by Ward County. Has picnic facilities. #3434

US 80/IH-20, Monahans, TX, United States