Series 'Texas Historical Marker'
Texas Historical Marker #03848
Placido Olivarri. Placido Olivarri a guide to the Texas Army 1835. Born in San Antonio, February, 1815. Died September 8, 1894, his wife Micaela J. Olivarri . Born June 10, 1844 died May 5, 1917. #3848
?, San Antonio, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03849
Olive Branch Cemetery. The first burial at this site occurred in the early 1870s. Area settlers H. H. Bradford, B. P. Cox, J. C. Cartwright, and J. C. Weaver, donated the property for the interment of a young girl who had died on a wagon train. The earliest marked grave is that of Maria B. Smith (1805-1875). During the 1890s, a sanctuary was built north of the burial ground for a Methodist Episcopal Church. As declining soil conditions caused families to move from the area, the congregation became inactive. The chapel was removed by 1914, but the Olive Branch Cemetery remains in use. #3849
CR 1771, N of Chico, Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03850
Oliver Loving. Founder of three major cattle trails, Oliver Loving came from Kentucky to Texas in 1845 and to Parker County about 1855. During the Civil War (1861-65), he supplied beef to Confederate forces. With Charles Goodnight as partner on a drive to New Mexico, Loving scouted ahead of the cattle, was badly wounded by Indians, lay five days without food before his rescue, and died of gangrene on September 25, 1867. His dying wish was fulfilled when his son Joseph joined Goodnight to bring the body 600 miles by wagon for burial in this county. Recorded, 1977. #3850
Front St. in Greenwood Cemetery, Weatherford, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03851
Oliver Loving, C.S.A.. Only Texan instrumental in mapping 3 major cattle trails: Shawnee, Western and Goodnight-Loving trails. Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas 1845, to farm, haul freight, deal in cattle. Started large Palo Pinto County ranch. In 1858, drove herd to Chicago-- first time in history Texas cattle trailed to northern market. In 1859 drove to Denver. When Civil War broke out, 1861, was Confederate beef contractor, furnishing meat to army commissaries. Served on 24-hour patrol squad against Indians in frontier town of Weatherford. Mapped an 1862 expedition by 300 or more Texans to wipe out depredating Indians on the home grounds in Colorado, but failed to get necessary men to put this plan into action. After the war, with Charles Goodnight, drove cattle from Palo Pinto to Horsehead Crossing on the Pecos, then up the river to Indian reservations and forts in New Mexico. In 1867 on this trail, was shot by Comanches: crawled 5 miles, chewing an old kid glove for food. Hauled at price of $250 to Fort Sumner by Mexican traders, he had wounds treated, but died of gangrene. Partner packed corpse in charcoal, hauled him to Weatherford for burial, fulfilling last wish. Loving county was named for him in 1887. #3851
?, Mentone, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03852
The Oliver Pecan. Young P. Oliver (1857-1925) came to this area in 1876 from his native Guadalupe County. In 1896, Oliver purchased this section (640 acres) of land, on which grew hundreds of pecan trees, and became a pioneer in the pecan industry. The grove contained "Old Oliver", a giant tree which produced 350-400 pounds of soft-shelled nuts per year; 800 pounds in 1906. By grafting buds from "Old Oliver" on seedlings from its pecan strain, the well-known Oliver pecan strain was developed. A flood in 1935 destroyed the tree, but its pecans are still produced commercially. Nut harvesting is a major Kimble County industry. #3852
?, Junction, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03853
Oliver Perry Arnold (1826-1905). An officer noted for integrity. Born in South Carolina. Came to Texas 1847, and engaged in livestock and mercantile business. Spent six years seeking gold in California. Returned to Johnson County, 1859; joined Co. H, Young's regiment, 1861. Served with distinction as Sheriff of Johnson County, 1870-1876. Married Abigail Winchester; they had 12 children. Arnold was the first president, Johnson County Park and Fair Association. #3853
?, Cleburne, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03854
Oliver Winfield Killam. Discoverer of first commercial oil field in south Texas; founder of Mirando City, as base of operations. Born in Lincoln county, Mo.; graduated in law at University of Missouri, 1898. Operated stores and lumber yards and served 8 years in legislature of Oklahoma. Came to Texas to explore for oil in 1920. After drilling twice unsuccessfully, he brought in as a pumper the first commercial well south of San Antonio, Mirando Oil Co. No. 3 Hinnant, April 17, 1921. With Colon Schott of Cincinnati, Oh., drilled Schott No. 2 (1 mile south of here), which came in as a gusher Dec. 10, 1921 -- opening the south Texas oil boom. The U.S. Post Office in Mirando City opened May 18, 1922, to serve town that jumped suddenly in population to a reputed 13,000. All sorts of businesses boomed; and churches, school, and medical facilities expanded. O. W. Killam was crowned "King Petrol" at Oil Men's Jubilee, Laredo, July 4, 1937. He was also esteemed by ranchers aware of oil lease benefits to the area. Killam and his wife Hattie (Smith) had 3 children: Winfield (Hank, now deceased), Louise (Mrs. John Hurd, also deceased), and Radcliffe. The O. W. Killam shops and Radcliffe Killam's oil operations continue as Mirando City celebrates its 50th anniversary. (1972) #3854
FM 649, Mirando City, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03855
Olivia. Established in 1892, the community of Olivia was named for Olivia Haterius, wife of the Rev. Carl J. E. Haterius, a Swedish Lutheran minister who bought land in the area and advertised a new settlement to other Swedish immigrants in the Midwest. Twelve Swedish families responded to the initial advertisement and moved to Olivia with others following in a few years By 1900 a number of non-Swedish families had settled here, as well. The first public building in Olivia was a one-room schoolhouse where children were taught during the day and parents attended classes at night to learn English. The Eden Lutheran Church held services in the schoolhouse until 1910, when a sanctuary was built. John Lind built the first store in the community on Carancahua Bay in 1894. The post office was housed in Lind's store and mail was delivered once a week. Lind moved his store to the center of the townsite in 1900. In 1906 Edward Wilson, another Swedish immigrant, bought the Olivia store and was appointed postmaster. Other businesses included a hotel, doctor's office, grocery store, blacksmith shop, and cotton gin. Since 1900 the thriving community has changed and grown, but retains its proud Swedish heritage. (1992) #3855
?, Olivia, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03856
Olivia Cemetery. In 1892, the Rev. Carl J. E. Haterius of Galesburg, Illinois, acquired land at this site with the intention of establishing a community for Swedish settlers. He named the settlement for his wife, Olivia. When the townsite was laid out in 1893, land was set aside for this burial ground in association with the Swedish Lutheran Eden Church. The earliest marked grave is that of Anna Bernardino Wilson, who died in 1902. Swedes and non-Swedes together contributed to the early development of Olivia, and the community cemetery serves as a reminder of their contributions. (1986) Correction: The oldest marked grave in the Olivia Cemetery is that of Christina B. Cavallin, who died in 1897. #3856
?, Olivia, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03857
Olso Community. In 1908 Anders L. Mordt, a native of Norway, secured form R. M. Thomson and R. T. Anderson the sales rights to 100 sections of Hansford County land he named Oslo. The first settlers were recruited from existing Norwegian colonies in the midwestern United States. To promote the development, Mordt advertised his inexpensive Texas land in major Norwegian language publications across the nation. He also published a weekly newspaper, The "Oslo Posten", and organized an annual Norwegian Independence Day celebration, "Syttende Mai" (May 17), which attracted crowds from surrounding towns in Oklahoma and Texas. Community worship services were first conducted at the Oslo schoolhouse in 1909 by the Rev. Christian Heltne. Officially organized the following year, the Olso Lutheran Church became the center of the farming settlement. Mordt's land sales ended in 1913 as a result of a severe drought. When the Denver and Gulf Railroad decided to bypass the area, the townsite of Oslo (2.5 miles south) declined. Although many settlers moved away, more than thirty families remained. Today the Olso Lutheran Church serves as a remainder of the area's Norwegian Heritage. (1981) #3857
?, Gruver, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03858
Olton's Union Church Bell. When the Soash Land Company founded Olton in 1908, lots were provided for a school, church and bank. Residents of the new town erected a Union church for all denominations about 1909. Soon afterward, they purchased this 950-pound steel bell. Its tones called worshipers from miles around. In 1928, a tornado destroyed the bell tower. The Methodist congregation bought the bell and moved it to a new building at 10th and Avenue E in 1934. In 1958 they sold the property and bell to the Church of the Nazarene. (1978) #3858
701 Main St, Olton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03860
On Old Shoenail Ranch Land, Community of Loco. Named for weed found here in 1880s by early settlers--the families of Dick Brown, Walter Campbell, and Bobby Payne. The Browns survived the last Indian battle on Buck Creek in 1887. Soil-based local economy moved from mule-power to tractors with lugs, to rubber-tire tractors, to irrigation farming. The Loco Post Office was established in 1892. Town at its height had 4 churches, a high school, a garage, 2 cotton gins, 3 stores, barber shop, blacksmith shop, cafe, and a golf course. Little now remains except the school's storm cellar. The post office closed in 1964. #3860
?, Childress, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03861
On Route of the Comanche Exodus. After living 1854-58 on the reservation set aside by State of Texas near Camp Cooper (30 mi. SW), the Comanche Indians with their goods were removed to Oklahoma. Near this spot on a head branch of Kickapoo Creek (so named, 1830) the exodus camped on Aug. 3, 1859, with its escort, a company of 1st United States Infantry under Capt. C. C. Gilbert, along with the Indian agent Matthew Leeper. At same time (25 mi. E), Maj. George H. Thomas escorted the supervising Indian agent, Maj. R. S. Neighbors, and 1059 Lower Brazos Reserve Indians to Oklahoma reservation. Megargel was founded here, 1910. Erected by Archer County Historical Survey Committee. (1971) #3861
?, Megargel, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03862
One Hundred Million Barrels of Oil From Block 31 Unit. A discovery well completed in Nov. 1945 about a mile to the northeast has led to vast production of oil--one hundred million barrels by July 27, 1969. The discovery well, University A No.1 , was drilled by the Atlantic Richfield Company. This development is on land belonging to the University of Texas, designated as Block 31 Unit, and leased to Atlantic Richfield (the operator), Phillips Petroleum Company, Continental Oil Company and Champlin Petroleum Company. The unit--7,200 acres in area--has 72 wells approximately 8,500 feet deep, into the earth stratum known as the Devonian formation. Through the years, unusual processes were used to increase unit oil recovery. High pressure natural gas was injected, to wash oil from subterranean rock. Later, exhaust gas was injected instead of the costlier natural gas. Research and farsighted policies made possible unusually high recovery in this reservoir. Credit for the conservation and good management of this unit goes to the Texas Railroad Commission (as the regulatory body with oversight of oil production), the University of Texas and owners of the unit. Attachment - 1989: A second milestone was reached October 17, 1987, when the two hundred millionth barrel of crude oil was produced from the Block 31 Unit. #3862
?, Crane, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03863
One of the Trails of Ranald S. MacKenzie. Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie (1840-89) of the United States Army was ordered in the 1870s to conquer Indians of Texas frontiers. He led 240 enlisted men and eight officers in an expedition along the draw here. Heading toward New Mexico, he hoped to break up a ring of traders paying Indians to steal cattle and horses. He marched past this point about August 1, 1872, in a swift, secret move against the traders. The path beaten out by his men was serviceable later to scouts and settlers. Its traces are still known as Mackenzie's Trail. (1977) #3863
FM 1072, 0.5 mi. South, Fieldton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03864
Onion Creek Indian Fight. One night in 1866, five men from Richland Springs (about 25 mi. NE) recovered stolen horses from Indians camped near here. A metal arrow hit a Mr. Lafferty, slid halfway around his skull, was cut out with a pocket knife, and Lafferty survived. The grave of an Indian casualty is about 30 yards north. (1973) #3864
?, Brady vicinity, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03866
Organization of Fisher County. When the Texas Legislature created Fisher County in 1876, there were no permanent settlements in the area. As a result, the county was linked with Shackelford and Nolan Counties for judicial purposes. By 1885, enough settlers had moved into the area to warrant official organization of the county. Part of this organization was the selection of a county seat, a matter that caused much debate. In 1885 two townsites were laid out and proposed as county seats. Businessman E. D. Strang, a native of Wisconsin, organized and promoted the town of Fisher, while two former Mississippi plantation owners, D. C. and M. L. Roby, inherited land on which they laid out the townsite of Roby. Fierce competition began between the adherents of each site. When the proponents of Roby felt they had enough votes, they presented a petition for election to the Nolan County Commissioners Court. Although adherents of Fisher contested the petition as faulty, they could not prove their accusations as correct. An election held in April 1886 determined Roby to be the county seat. As newly elected officials attended to business and construction began on a courthouse, tempers settled, and the organization of Fisher County was complete. (1983) #3866
?, Roby, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03867
Organization of Floyd County. Floyd County was created by the Texas Legislature in 1876. The Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Company began building westward from Wichita Falls, resulting in increased settlement of the area. Ranchers T. J. Braidfoot and J. R. McLain formed a partnership in 1887 to establish a town they hoped to promote as county seat. Named Della Plain, it soon boasted homes, businesses, and civic institutions. As more homesteaders settled northwest of Della Plain, a town named Lockney was created in 1889. Soon there was rivalry over which town would be named county seat. In 1890 M. C. Williams and J. K. Gwynn selected this site for a town called Floyd City. In an election held on May 28, 1890, the voters chose Floyd City as county seat. Officers elected were: Arthur B. Duncan, County Judge; John C. Hendrix, County Attorney; R. T. Miller, County and District Clerk; D. W. Jenkins, Sheriff and Tax Collector; E. E. Keeley, County Treasurer; L. C. Darby, Tax Assessor; W. M. Massie, Surveyor; and C. F. Ramsey, T. B. Michael, W. R. Vandeveer, and B. P. Merrell, County Commissioners. When a post office was established in September, the name of the town was changed to Floydada. (1990) #3867
?, Floydada, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03868
Orient Hotel. "Finest from Ft. Worth to El Paso." Saloon built 1896 of Pecos Valley red sandstone. Hotel opened 1907 by R. S. Johnson, owner. Headquarters for land promoters, salesmen, families of settlers in early years of Pecos Valley development. Restored to House West of the Pecos Museum. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964. #3868
?, Pecos, TX, United States