Texas Historical Marker #08179
Trinity Lutheran Church. Since organization on March 11, 1870, the center of religious, educational and social life in Fedor community. First to sign constitution of congregation were A. Handrick, A. Symmank, C. Dube, P. Pahn, A. Suchy, A. Bleumel. First pastor was the Rev. Johann Pallmer. On original board of elders were G. Boback, A. Lehmann, G. Schroeder. Given 50 acres of land by Boback, church bought another acre for building site. Parochial school was opened by the Rev. John A. Proft, first resident pastor. Longest tenure (nearly half a century, 1876 to 1923) was by Pastor G. Birkmann. (1970) #8179
?, Fedor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08180
Milton Garrett York, Sr.. Was born in East Texas (San Augustine County) on Sept. 5, 1843. After the death of his parents, Aaron and Ruth (lucas) York, he went to live with an uncle in Arkansas. Milton returned to Texas about 1860 and briefly taught school in the Evergreen community, in what is now Lee County. After serving in the Confederate army from 1861 to 1865, M. G. York returned to this area and married Matilda Heck. They settled on land along the Brenham-Austin Trace and lived there until they moved to Giddings about 1880. As a member of the J. G. Giddings Masonic Lodge, York was a strong supporter of education for the children of the area. After Lee County was created in 1874 out of portions of Bastrop, Burleson, Washington, and Fayette counties, he was appointed to a commission, along with C. Perry, A. P. Gaines, Solomon Fehr, and O. G. Jones, to help organize the new county. He later was elected county commissioner of Precinct 1. York's interest in public affairs continued with his election to the Texas House of Representatives in 1890. He represented Lee and Burleson counties during his two-year term. Upon his death in 1911, M. G. York was survived by his wife and six children. His role in early Lee County history is an important part of the area's heritage. #8180
?, Giddings, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08181
Antioch Cemetery and Church of Christ. (March 16, 1853 - September 27, 1932) Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, John James Culbertson grew up in large northeastern cities. He married Emily Lou Lee of New Jersey in 1882 and soon became a salesman for a cotton product company based in Alabama. During his southern travels, Culbertson saw the potential for profit from cottonseed oil. He moved to Paris and was instrumental in building the first Paris cotton mill about 1884 #8181
?, Biardstown, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08182
Atkinson-Morris House. Built about 1890 by Jethro D. Atkinson, bank director and owner of Paris' first shoe store. Bought 1910 by social leaders, Dr. Eugene Felder Morris and wife Elizabeth. A fine example of Victorian style prevailing here before the great 1916 Paris fire. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1972 #8182
802 Fitzhugh Ave., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08183
J. M. Biard House. On 1845 Republic of Texas land grant. House built 1854 by J. M. Biard, settler from Alabama, founder of Biardstown. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965 #8183
?, Biardstown, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08184
Biardstown School. The history of schools in Biardstown is closely associated with the Biard family, early settlers of the area. The first school in the community was in the log home of William Washington Biard. In 1867 John Wilson Biard, son of William Biard, and his wife Lizzie donated land for a schoolhouse. It was replaced by a second building in 1885. The rural school became a part of the Delmar Independent School District in 1949. The Biardstown School building was converted to serve as a community center. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 #8184
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08185
Robert Cooke Buckner. Outstanding Baptist minister. Born in Tennessee (January 3, 1833 - April 9, 1919), he moved to Texas 1859, and became pastor of this congregation in 1861. A new church building was erected here, and through his guidance, the congregation grew. First Baptist "Ladies Aid" group in Texas was founded here, 1861. In 1873, Dr. Buckner resigned to edit the publication "Religious Messenger." In 1877, he led in founding a Baptist orphans home. Under a large, shady oak, he gave the first dollar for the Dallas home, which, on the base he laid, has grown today into the well-known Buckner "Benevolences." #8185
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08186
Camp Maxey. Recognizing in 1940 that hosting peacetime draftees might revive the county's economy, the city of Paris sent a request for the army to build a training camp here. The local American Legion acquired land options. Delegations from the Chamber of Commerce of Lamar County received initial support, but Congressman Lyndon Johnson moved the planned camp to his district at Bastrop. In response U. S. Senator Tom Connally and army officials ensured a camp for Paris, confirmed in July 1941. The 70,000 acre site was being surveyed when the U. S. entered World War II in December. Camp Maxey, named for C. S. A. General and U. S. Senator Sam Bell Maxey from paris, was activated on July 15, 1942. Its main entrance was "Gate 5" marked by stone portals at this site. Two infantry divisions, the 102nd "Ozark" and 99th "Checkerboard," trained here with the 250th Field Artillery and other army units. A regional hospital and a prisoner of war camp hosting 7,000 Germans were part of the reservation. Local women formed the "Maxey Command" to host dances for the total of 194,800 soldiers stationed here. Area residents housed thousands of dependents and filled 10,300 civilian jobs on base. The camp was closed when the P. O. W. stockade was vacated in early 1946. #8186
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08187
James Henry Campbell Home. Tennessee native James Henry Campbell (1830-1918) moved to Texas in 1856 with his wife, Julia Emeline (Perkins), and their children. One of the first settlers in this area, he named the surrounding community Sylvan for the nearby grove of trees. A Confederate veteran, Campbell completed this home for his family in the late 1860s and became one of the largest landowners in Lamar County. The homestead, which remained in the Campbell family for more than 100 years, stands as a reminder of the once-thriving Sylvan community. #8187
?, Blossom, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08188
Central National Road of the Republic of Texas. Designed as a military highway, intended to make linkage with United States military road built to the north of the Red River in the 1820s. This was part of the national effort of Republic of Texas to open a good road system. Congress in 1839 passed a bill for a road east from Washington-on-the-Brazos to the Sabine River; 1841 legislation called for a road from the Nueces to the Red River and another from Austin to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Central National Road was created in 1844, to reach from mouth of Elm Fork on the Trinity to Kiomatia Crossing on the Red. It went down a main street in Paris, which was founded in 1844; near its south end was the 1841 John Neely Bryan home around which the city of Dallas originated. Major George W. Stell surveyed the 130-mile route. Plans called for a road 30 feet wide and clear of tree stumps over 12 inches high. For each mile of road built (including bridges), grants of 160 acres of public lands were offered. Commissioners were Roland W. Box, Harrison County; James Bradshaw, Nacogdoches County; William M. Williams and Jason Wilson, Lamar County; John Yeary, Fannin County. The route is roughly followed by later roads. #8188
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08189
Central Presbyterian Church. This congregation, established during the Republic of Texas period, was organized as the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church on November 4, 1844, by the Rev. Samuel J. Corley, a circuit-riding minister. The first church building was erected in 1847. Under the leadership of the Rev. C. J. Bradley the church built a new sanctuary in 1859 at a site near downtown Paris. During the pastorate (1880-1908) of Dr. Charles Manton the congregation erected a new sanctuary (1891) and experienced tremendous growth. Flags throughout the community were flown at half-mast on the day of Dr. Manton's funeral in recognition of his many civic contributions. The congregation officially changed its name to Central Presbyterian Church in 1912. The 1891 sanctuary, destroyed in the devastating 1916 Paris fire, was replaced during the tenure of the Rev. L. C. Kirkes with this Gothic revival style sanctuary in 1917. Designed by Thomas Broad of the firm of Curtis, Broad, & Lightfoot, it features extensive stained glass by the Ford Brothers Glass Company in Minneapolis. Educational facilities have been added over the years. The congregation, noted for its education and music programs, is a leading civic institution that continues to provide spiritual guidance to the community. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1994 Incise on front: Estate of Francenia Hicks #8189
309 S. Church St., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08190
Burial Site of John S. Chisum. (1824-1884) Cattle baron whose herds, moving from east to west Texas and into New Mexico, expanded into one of the greatest cattle spreads in the west. Coming from Tennessee to Paris, 1837, Chisum joined S. K. Fowler in a cattle venture in Denton County, 1854. During the Civil War, he supplied beef to Confederate troops west of the Mississippi and his cowboys guarded the frontier against Indians. After moving in 1864 to the Concho River, then to "Bosque Grande" on the Pecos, he finally located his spread at South Spring near Roswell, New Mexico, 1873. His enormous herds-- 60,000 to 100,000 head-- pounded trails across Texas into New Mexico. His name and fame led to confusion with Jesse Chisholm, blazer of part of the historic Texas-to-Kansas cattle trail. Chisum's onetime partner, famous cattleman Charles Goodnight, said that Chisum, who could correctly tally three grades of moving cattle at once, was the best counter he knew. Chisum's distinctive "Long Rail" brand and "Jinglebob" ear-notch defied alteration. A disastrous packing house deal and involvement in the 1876 "Lincoln County War," in which Billy the Kid and various cattle factions figured, ultimately led to Chisum's financial ruin. #8190
?, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08191
J. M. Early House. Built 1893 by businessman and poet John M. Early (1849-1919) for his wife, Alice; sons, Junius and Buck; and daughter, Alice. Doing his own carpentry, Early styled this after his Georgia boyhood home, using finest heart pine. Core of plan: 2-story, 4-room house with wide halls. Kitchen was separate, other rooms were added later. Among fine details are floor-length windows, ornate brass hardware, handmade doors, cherry wood stairway. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #8191
1970 Clarksville St., Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08192
Ewing House. Originated as a log cabin, built 1852 by Robert Glass. Later extended to 10 rooms; is called "House of Seven Gables," or old home of Mrs. Sallie Ewing, purchaser in 1882. Log cabin is now the living room. Two fireplaces are of old, handmade brick. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #8192
135 4th St. NW, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08193
Site of First Anglo-American Settlement in Lamar County. Legend tells of French and Spanish forts before the families of J. W. G. Pierson, Luke and John Roberts, and the Mason brothers settled here in 1820. Within a year, in the absence of the men, women, children and slaves were victims of an Indian raid. Five of the men pursued, but outnumbered, they too were killed. Be silent, friend! Here heroes died To blaze a trail For other men. #8193
?, Powderly, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08194
First Baptist Church of Blossom. Organized in 1873 by the Rev. Sam Anderson. Early services were held in a log schoolhouse, and baptisms conducted in ponds or cotton gin pools. The first permanent sanctuary, built about 1880 on land donated by G. B. Eades, was one large room with a bell tower. The church was a member of the Lamar County Baptist Association. A brick veneer building replaced the old frame church in 1909. The church women paid for the roof by giving pie suppers and selling homemade hominy. The present structure was dedicated in 1967. #8194
200 S. Young St., Blossom, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08195
First National Bank of Paris. Organized and opened for business at its present location in 1886 by William J. McDonald (1844-1926), Civil War veteran and lawyer. Earlier he had opened the Citizens Bank of Clarksville and in 1889 he established a Delta County Bank. Under his shrewd leadership the banks prospered. Although careful in the granting of loans, he was also lenient about their repayment and seldom foreclosed. Aside from McDonald, the original stockholders included George F. Hicks, A. G. Hubbard, Edward Reuss, and R. F. Scott, Sr. McDonald was bank president for many years and upon his death, left the bulk of his estate to the University of Texas to erect an observatory. In 1939 McDonald Observatory, in West Texas, was dedicated. Present bank building was completed in 1916, but less than 3 months later was gutted by a ruinous city-wide fire. Within the year, however, it was restored. Throughout the years, the bank has been a bulwark of the area's economy. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, its loans enabled many merchants and farmers to stay in business. In 1951 the bank portion of the building was remodeled. The present chairman of the board is Michel T. Halbouty and president is C. Glynn Lowe. #8195
Main & Lamar, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08196
First United Methodist Church of Paris. The beginning of this congregation can be traced to 1843, when the Rev. James Graham organized the First Methodist Church in the area. It later took the name Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Meanwhile, another congregation, Lamar Avenue Methodist Church, was formed. After the destructive Paris fire of 1916, the two churches decided to form one central downtown congregation, and the merger became official in 1918. The Rev. Robert P. Shuler was appointed first pastor of the new congregation, now known as First United Methodist Church of Paris. #8196
3rd and Lamar, Paris, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #08197
First Presbyterian Church. Organized 1861 by the Rev. John Anderson. Odd Fellows Seminary and a downtown shop were sites of early worship. Congregation built first sanctuary in 1874. Architects for this church (built 1891) were L. B. Volk and Son. Contractor: W. R. Eubanks. Romanesque style building is of Carthage stone; has stained glass windows from Belgium. The auditorium, cruciform in plan, has a wooden, ribbed vault of beaded boards. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968 #8197
410 W. Kaufman St., Paris, TX, United States