Series 'Texas Historical Marker'

Origin of the Texas State Teachers Association. The first statewide teacher association in Texas had its beginnings in two regional teachers organizations. The North Texas Education Association was begun in Dallas in 1877. Teachers in central Texas met in Austin in 1879, formed the Austin Teachers Association, and made plans to meet the next year with the north Texas group to create a statewide organization. At a three-day meeting beginning June 29, 1880, about 40 Texas educators met at this site (former Cumberland Presbyterian Church) and organized the Texas State Teachers Association. The Rev. Dr. J. R. Malone was elected president and Governor O. M. Roberts served as guest speaker. The new organization took as its purpose the advancement of public education. One resolution passed at the first meeting supported the organization of the University of Texas, which at the mandate of the Legislature actually opened for classes in 1883. All professional teachers in the state were invited to join and by 1979 the membership had grown to over 100,000. TSTA has helped improve the the quality of education by raising teacher standards and by influencing passage of major education legislation. 1980 #3869

209 Carthage St., Mexia, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03870

Original Gruene Mercantile. Founded in 1878 by Henry D. Gruene to serve the families working on his cotton farm, the original Gruene Mercantile served many purpose for the community. In addition to providing food, clothing, household goods and farm implements, the store was a stage stop and a post office. It was also used as a distribution point for H. D. Gruene's distillery, selling his Green River brand whiskey. The wooden bulding was removed to site in 1904 when a new two-story red brick mercantile structure was erected on the original site across the street. #3870

?, Gruene, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03871

Original Old Rock Courthouse Cornerstone. Erected in Benjamin in 1891, when the officials of Knox County were: J.J. Truscott - judge; W.H. Benedict, T.P. Reeder, J.A. Spinks, G.B. Stewart, commissioners; T.D. Isbell - sheriff. Rock structure, replacing wooden courthouse of 1886, was in use until 1935. (1967) Incise in base: Presented by M. J. Spinks, Dallas #3871

?, Benjamin, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03872

First Plant of Acme Brick Company. First manufacturer in Texas to make high-grade pressed brick. Founded 1891 by industrial pioneer George Bennett (1852-1907), developer of coal mining and other natural resources. Located here because of large deposits of shale near Brazos River. Bennett Community grew up around plant, with dormitory and store. The kilns were fired with local fuel; coal, then wood. Brick were shipped out by mule-drawn wagons or nearby Texas & Pacific Railroad. Before 75th anniversary in 1966, Acme became the largest maker of face brick in the United States. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1966. #3872

IH 20 West, at Parker/Palo Pinto County line, Weatherford, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03874

Original Site of Valley Mills. A. H. Steagall and Dr. E. P. Booth purchased 300 acres of land on the north side of the Bosque River in 1868. They mapped out and platted a townsite, which they named Valley Mills. As settlers began arriving in the area, the first homes were built of logs. Soon, however, with products provided by a local sawmill, many more homes were constructed of sawn lumber. In addition to the sawmill, flour and grist mills were also built in the valley. Cotton gins were soon built, as well, to process hundreds of bales from neighboring farms. A United States post office was established in Valley Mills in 1867, with Moses Isenhower serving as first postmaster. Experiencing steady growth, the town at its peak boasted homes, general stores, a drugstore, blacksmith shop, boardinghouse, and stagecoach stop. In 1881 the Santa Fe Railroad line was built through the area, but the tracks were laid on the south side of the river about one mile from the original townsite. Soon thereafter the residents of Valley Mills moved their town to be closer to the rail line. By 1900 the original site of Valley Mills had become a ghost town. (1990) #3874

?, Valley Mills, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03875

Original Tom Green County. On transcontinental trail of California Gold Rush. Until 1846 a part of Bexar land district, Republic of Texas. Private tracts were surveyed as early as 1847. German Emigration Company colony (90 miles southeast) had grants here, but in 1840s found Indians blocking settlement. Butterfield Overland Mail managers lived at stands in area, 1858-61. R. F. Tankersley family established a permanent home in 1864 in future Tom Green County. By 1874 there were five settlements here, including Bismarck farm, a colony of 15 German immigrants. The county (12,756 sq. mil., 10-1/2 times as large as state of Rhode Island) was created in 1874 and named for heroic Gen. Green (1814-64), a state official and gallant Texas soldier. After a decade of progress, the original Tom Green County began losing outlying areas. Midland County -- halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso on newly opened Texas and Pacific railway -- was created in 1885. Settlers remote from San Angelo petitioned for new counties in 1887, and the Texas Legislature created Crane, Loving, Upton, Ward and Winkler. Coke and Irion Counties were cut out of Tom Green in 1889. Ector and Sterling were created in 1891. Last diversions -- Glasscock (1893) and Reagan (1903) -- gave Tom Green its present size. It remains influential in the region. #3875

100 block W. Beauregard, San Angelo, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03876

Orla. Gateway to Red Bluff Lake, Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns recreational areas. Established 1890 on Pecos Valley Railroad. Developed during land promotions. Had school, general stores, hotel, livery stable. In 1931 remaining merchant and postmaster Hal Old moved 1/4 miles west to new highway. (1965) #3876

US 285, Orla, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03877

Ormer Leslie Locklear. A native of Greenville, Texas, Ormer Leslie Locklear moved to Fort Worth with his family in 1906. He worked for his father's construction company until 1914, when he and his brother opened an automobile repair shop. Locklear enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Service in 1917, soon after the U.S. enter World War I. He trained in San Antonio and Austin before being assigned to Barron Field near Fort Worth as a flight instructor. He soon became known for his daring feats of precision flying and performed in barnstorming air shows to recruit pilots for military service. Locklear resigned his Army commission in 1919 to fly in the commercial air show circuit. Hired by the Universal Film Company as a stunt pilot for motion pictures, he moved to Hollywood and in 1920 was killed flying a stunt pilot for his second feature, "The Skywayman". The accident, believed to have been caused when the bright lights illuminating the night sky for filming blinded the pilot, was recorded on film and used in the movie's final scene. Thousands of mourners attended Locklear's Fort Worth funeral, which the Fox Film Corporation filmed and released later as a newsreel. (1992) #3877

3400 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03878

Orrin L. Winters Cabin. Originally a two-room cabin, built about 1853 near the Lavaca River (2 miles northeast) by Orin L. Winters (1811-1902), a native of Tennessee. He lived in the structure until 1873. About 1902, the oak log cabin was torn down by Adam Schutz, and used to construct a barn and a blacksmith shop. The blacksmith shop later burned, and in 1973, the barn was dismantled, moved here, and restored as a cabin, to represent the pioneer heritage of Lavaca County. Incise on back: Donors: Building - The Adolph Petrek family Restoration and fence - William W. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Alton C. Allen, Wilbur H. Baber, Jr. Marker - Descendants of Winters Family Site - City of Moulton Restoration contractor - Newton Peschel Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1974 #3878

?, Moulton, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03879

Orth-Fitch House. Will Orth, a railroad conductor and the owner of a local flour mill, built this home in 1910. Soon other prominent Yoakum families began erecting homes on Coke Street, which became known as "Silk Stocking Row." Designed by local architect W. A. Fink, Orth's home features characteristics of the Queen Anne and colonial revival styles. Farmer and merchant T. J. Fitch bought the home in 1917, and it remained in his family until 1973. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983 #3879

507 Coke St, Yoakum, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03880

Osage Cemetery. Residents of the Osage community began using this site as a burial place about the mid-1870s, soon after area settlement began. Though the presence of unmarked burials indicates possible earlier usage, the first marked burial, that of R. P. Doherty, dates to 1874. Although used by the community, the graveyard was privately owned by real estate surveyor and investor Luther Kimbell and his sister Josephine Kimbell during its early years, and was not legally designated a cemetery until 1885. That year, Josephine Kimbell had a cemetery platted around the existing graves and began commercial operation of the cemetery. In 1892, Luther Kimbell assumed responsibility for the graveyard, which he operated for the rest of his life. The Osage Cemetery contains over 800 marked and unmarked graves, including those of Osage's earliest settlers and veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II,and th Koren War. It has been maintained by the Osage Cemetery Association since 1970. The only cemetery to have served this community, the historic burial ground is a tangible reminder of the area's pioneer heritage. #3880

?, Crawford, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03881

Old Osage. Site of 1820 trading post of Jesse Burnam. His ferry on the Colorado River helped Gen. Sam Houston reach San Jacinto, 1836. To cut off Santa Anna, Houston then burned post and ferry. Town started in 1850s was named for Osage orange trees. In 1861, Civil War recruiting center. Furnished most of Co. A, 5th Texas Cav., Green's Brigade. This park, on land deeded by Edward Austin for school and churches, includes cemetery and graves of many Civil War veterans. Was also burial site, Wm. B. Scates, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. #3881

?, Weimar, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03882

Otto Brinkmann House. The cottage was built in 1860 by German-born Otto Brinkmann (1832-1915), who lived here with his brothers until he married Marie Johanne Ochse in 1867. The half-timbered walls filled with native stone display the "fachwerk" technique introduced in Texas by German immigrants. The structure was enlarged in 1879, when the owner was Brinkmann's mother-in-law, Mrs. Julius Ochse. The house was purchased in 1973 and restored by Mr. and Mrs. William E. Parrish. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976 #3882

701 High Street, Comfort, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03883

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. This church was established in 1899, as the first mission of the historic La Lomita Church (5 miles south). Originally known as Our Lady of the Mission (Nuestra Senora de la Mission), it was renamed Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe) in 1927 when this structure was built. The Mission revival inspired structure features a four-story tower capped by a domed belfry; mission parapets; arched windows; and elaborate limestone detailing. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1990. #3883

6th Dunlap Streets, Mission, Mission, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03884

Our Lady of Peace Parish Hall. Site of the oldest church building in Alpine, originally called Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, completed in 1892 and in continuous use as a church until 1942, and as a parish hall until 1964. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 #3884

102 W. Ave G, Alpine, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03885

Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church. TEXT? #3885 [full inscription unknown]

Main Plaza off US 83, Roma, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03886

Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church. This Church traces its history to Nuestra Senora del Refugio (our Lady of Refuge), a Spanish mission established in 1791 (30 mi. NE). The mission relocated here in 1795. The 1868 building was razed, and in 1901 an impressive Victorian/Romanesque sanctuary was completed here. School, convent, and auditorium facilities were added in 1946. This church, which represents the area's unique blend of Spanish and Irish heritage, continues to serve the local community. (1995) #3886

1008 S Alamo St., Refugio, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03887

Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church. A rare South Texas snowstorm marked the cornerstone laying ceremonies for this church building, Dec. 29, 1880. The Gothic Revival edifice was constructed of bricks made at nearby El Rancho de Santa Maria, owned by L.J. Hynes, who gave land for the church. Built from plans drawn by Father Peter I. Keralum, O.M.I., the structure was dedicated June 29, 1882. The wooden steeple was blown off during a 1933 hurricane. Residents of Bluetown, Santa Maria, and neighboring communities worshiped here. #3887

?, Santa Maria, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03888

Our Lady of the Lake University. The heritage of this Catholic University reflects the early educational efforts of Jean Martin Moye, an 18th-century French educator, and American Bishops at the 1866 council of Baltimore. In order to carry out the council's mandates, Bishop Dubuis of Texas that same year recruited sisters from the congregation of Divine Providence, int the Lorraien Village of St. Jean De BAssel, to come to Texas. In 1895, after years of work in Austin and Castroville, Mother Florence Walter relocated the congregation to San Antonio. A sixteen-acre site on the edge of Lake Elmendorf, in th city's early lake view addition, was chosen for the establishment of a Girl's Academy. The school opened in 1896, with offering from kindergarten through high school. Classes were first held in a four-story brick building. Adjacent land and new structures were added as the school grew. College course were first offered in 1911. Eight years later, the school obtained the status of a senior college. Form a foundation of progressive Eruopean Educational pholosophy, our Lady of the Lake Univeristy has developed as one of Texas' leading institutions of higher learning. #3888

411 S.W. 24th St., San Antonio, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #03889

Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Mother church, former Evangelical Lutheran Church in Texas. Organized June 14, 1869, by Norwegian settlers of Bosque County. Building erected 1875-1885. Cleng Peerson, pioneer of Norwegian emigration to U.S. (landed 1821) is buried here. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 Supplemental plate: Centennial 1869-1969 Church built by Norwegian pioneers, 1875; contractor Gunerius Shefstad. Dedicated in 1885; enlarged, veneered with brick in 1907; veneer work redone, 1956; memorial windows given in 1958. This church has been served by eight pastors. (1970) #3889

?, Clifton, TX, United States