Texas Historical Marker #08139
Fort Ewell. Established here in 1852, guarded not only the frontier but the main San Antonio and Laredo Road, which crossed the Nueces River at this point, the Huajuco Crossing. The fort was abandoned in 1854, but when La Salle County was organized in 1880 Fort Ewell was its chief settlement. Near this site stood the first court house, a wooden building, later moved to La Mota Ranch. O. Henry came to Fort Ewell for his mail. #8139
?, Cotulla, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08140
First Deep Artesian Well. For many years, water scarcity stunted settlements in La Salle County. Wells and windmills failed to solve the problem. In 1910 at this site, Joseph Cotulla (1844-1923) explored and brought in artesian water from a depth of 2200 feet. Situated on his own ranch, the well provided amply for his household, livestock, and irrigated fields. His success led the city of Cotulla to bore its own artesian wells and generate prosperous civic growth. Joseph Cotulla's well at this site flowed for 52 years, until capped in 1962. #8140
?, Cotulla, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08141
Bethel Union Baptist Church. The La Grange Baptist District Association of Texas was organized in 1874. That same year, land was purchased in Giddings for a church that had recently been organized in a private home. A church building was soon erected, located south of the courthouse in a section of town known as The Flat. At the first service held in the new church, a name was adopted, Willow Grove Baptist Church. Also at that service, the Rev. I. Tolliver was named minister. Some years later, another church located in The Flat, St. Paul Chapel, and the Willow Grove Baptist Church merged to form one congregation. The church moved to its present site, at the corner of West Dallas and Hempstead streets. Following the union of the two congregations, the name was changed to Bethel Union Baptist Church. The official organization date of the church is 1886. The church continued to serve its community for a number of years. Eventually, part of the congregation left to form another congregation. Additional property was added to the church in 1911, 1940, 1942, and 1943. Five former pastors of Bethel Union Baptist Church have served as moderators of the La Grange Baptist District Association. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 #8141
887 W. Hempstead St., Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08142
Dime Box. Founded 1913. Name derived from the practice of leaving dimes in community mailbox on Old San Antonio Road in return for items from Giddings. Nation's first town to contribute one hundred per cent to "March of Dimes" program, 1945. Official national program opening held here in 1946. #8142
?, Dime Box, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08143
Old Dime Box. County's second oldest community. Located in Texas founder Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred" colony. First known as Brown's Mills. Present name derived from practice of leaving dimes in box at Joseph S. Browne's Mill so that postman John W. Ratliff would bring items from Giddings to community members. #8143
?, Dime Box, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08144
Early Chapel Cemetery. Site bought by Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1850, although some burials had occurred here previously. Buried here are San Jacinto heroes Capt. Jas. Shaw (founder of Lexington) and Wm. Hawkins; Civil War veterans; Mrs. R. Y. King, wife of first Lee County judge. Contains special section for slaves. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #8144
?, Lexington, TX, United States
Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #08145
Old Evergreen Tree. Said to have sheltered in 1714 explorer Louis de St. Denis-- probably first white man ever here. Site of pioneer court trails in 1870s. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #8145
?, Lincoln, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08146
First Baptist Church of Giddings. Founded 1872. In 1873 had 16 members, with J. Budd as pastor. First building (1881) was west of present site. Pastors serving 10 to 15 years in church's century of growth to 300 members: Q. T. Simpson, W. W. Burr, Peter DeYoung, H. L. McLerran, J. W. Tripp. Present pastor is evangelist John Karcher. (1972) #8146
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08147
The First Baptist Church of Lexington. The Rev. E. E. Lee of the nearby Prospect Church inspired Elders John Claybaugh, J. W. D. Creath, D. Fisher, and J. G. Thomas, with nine charter members, to organize this church in Jan. 1855. The original building was erected later that year. The Rev. J. G. Thomas was the first pastor. Sunday School was founded in 1866. Prospect Church disbanded in 1949, and members joined the Lexington Church, which has built five successive houses of worship, has belonged to five regional Baptist associations, and has been served by twenty-nine pastors. #8147
?, Lexington, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08148
First United Methodist Church of Giddings. Founded 1871 with 24 charter members; first congregation to be organized in community, before platting of town in 1872. The Rev. William C. Lewis was first pastor. Early trustees included W. H. Cherry, Thomas Cox, R. D. McClellan, P. H. Merchant, John W. Moore, S. R. Mullen, H. Petway, W. A. Rector, W. B. Seay, T. G. B. Willard. Lay delegate to 1902-03 annual conferences was B. J. Fletcher. First church building was erected in 1879. Originally part of a circuit, Giddings in 1938 became a station charge. Present sanctuary was built in 1957. #8148
297 E. Monroe St., Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08149
First National Bank. Lee County's oldest banking institution. An agent for progress in this area. Founded 1891 at merger of P. M. Cuney & Co., private bank, with First National Bank of Elgin (founded in 1890 by 30 merchants and ranchers). The officers were Dr. J.A. Fields, president; Cuney, E. J. Archinard, I. J. Fariss, J. L. Rousseau, Ed R. Sinks and S. F. Wade, directors. #8149
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08150
First Presbyterian Church. Founded 1876, with thirteen charter members, under the direction of Rev. H. B. Burr and Rev. R. H. Byers. Edifice designed and built in 1886 by the ruling elder, Frank Morris. Annex constructed in 1952. Oldest church building in Giddings in continuous use. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #8150
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08151
Fletcher Home. Built by August W. Schubert, 1879. Bought 1894 by Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, to house a ministerial college, which closed prior to 1900. Sold to Baylis J. Fletcher, Lee County treasurer and legislator. Presently owned by the Fletcher family. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1966 #8151
171 Hempstead, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08152
City of Giddings. County seat of Lee County. Named for Jabez D. Giddings (1814-78), of Washington County, one of four brothers from Pennsylvania who were Texas transportation pioneers and business leaders. The town was established as a shipping point when Houston & Texas Central Railroad (in which J. D. Giddings was a stockholder) reached here in 1871. A second and third railroad (San Antonio & Aransas Pass, 1889, and Hearne & Brazos Valley, 1913) increased city's prestige. Commission form government was adopted in 1913. A diversified economy developed. #8152
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08153
J. D. Giddings Lodge No. 280, A. F. & A. M.. Chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1865, this Masonic Lodge had its beginnings in the community of Evergreen (about 5 mi. N). Relocated to the new town of Giddings in 1872 after the railroad bypassed Evergreen, the lodge has played an important part in the civic life of its adopted city. Over the years, lodge facilities have been shared with the public schools, as well as with a number of community organizations and governmental agencies. A new lodge hall was built at this site in 1969-70. The lodge continues to be an active part of the community. #8153
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08154
James Goucher. In this grave rest James Goucher and five members of his family murdered by Indians November 26, 1836. With the true pioneering spirit he had opened the first road from San Felipe to the settlements on the Colorado known for many years as "Goucher's Trace." #8154
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08155
William W. Hawkins. (Star and Wreath) Soldier at San Jacinto, 1836. Texas Ranger, Republic of Texas. #8155
?, Lexington, TX, United States
Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #08156
Holy Cross Cemetery. At former site of Holy Cross Church, founded here in Rabb's Creek area in 1873. Opened at the death of Pastor Johann Zapf (1873), the cemetery has 53 graves. Parish sold church site, retained cemetery; built a new church near Warda (2.25 mi. S) in Fayette County, in 1882. #8156
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08157
Indian Camp Branch. Located along an old buffalo trail, this creek was once fed by a spring and was a favorite camping place for Indian hunting parties. It was named Indian Camp Branch by James Shaw (1808-1879), a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836), to honor the hospitality of a band of friendly Tonkawa Indians he encountered near this site in 1837. Shaw built a cabin in this area and was soon joined by other Anglo-American settlers. A teacher, surveyor, and postmaster, Shaw also served as a senator and representative in Congresses of the Republic and state of Texas. #8157
?, Lexington, TX, United States
Subjects
Texas Historical Marker #08158
King's Highway - El Camino Real - Old San Antonio Road. First opened by Louis de St. Denis, 1715; route from Mexico to Louisiana. #8158
?, Giddings, TX, United States