Texas Historical Marker #09545
Vicinity of Oyster Creek and Chocolate Bayou. Most early Texas homes and towns were built along streams that provided water for people and livestock, and travel for boats said to be capable of "floating on a heavy dew". Oyster Creek served, 1822-1861, as such a homesite-highway. Its boat landings were piled high with sugar, cotton, cane and other products of some of America's richest plantations. Chocolate Bayou was an area of early-day cattle raising. These were 2 of 50 streams and 10 bays that made this coast a network of useful waterways. (1968) #9545
?, Alvin, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09530
Birchfield - McCown House. Built by A. J. Birchfield, first editor of Alvin "Sun", 1894. Often a storm refuge, house kept over 100 safe in famed 1900 coastal hurricane. Leading townspeople -- Greer, Carleton, Finger, and McCown families -- have owned this 12-room Victorian structure. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1972 #9530
404 S. Beauregard, Alvin, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09549
Confederate Cemetery. Established in the 1890's by John A. Wharton Camp, U. C. V.; burial ground for Confederate veterans and families. After increase of acreage, use of cemetery was extended to public. Veterans of 4 wars; 1900 hurricane victims as well as prominent civic leaders are buried here. (1968) #9549
?, Alvin, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09562
First Presbyterian Church of Alvin. The history of this congregation can be traced to 1890. Many families moved to Alvin at that time to take advantage of economic opportunities offered by the surrounding agricultural development. Among the new citizens were a number of Presbyterians. Led by the Rev. Robert Hamilton Byers, Home Mission Secretary of the Brazos Presbytery based in Houston, they conducted worship services in the local Methodist church and joined with their Methodist neighbors to operate a Union Sunday School. Soon the Presbyterian group was large enough to establish its own congregation. On June 14, 1892, with the help of the Rev. Dr. Byers and the Rev. W. N. Scott, the First Presbyterian Church of Alvin was officially organized with sixteen charter members, two ruling elders, and two deacons. Two years later the congregation acquired land at this site and built its first sanctuary. The 1894 building continued to serve the congregation until 1960, when it was replaced by a larger structure. Throughout its history, the First Presbyterian Church has served the community of Alvin with a variety of worship, educational, and outreach programs. (1992) #9562
?, Alvin, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #12421
Old City Cemetery. First cemetery in Alvin. Acquired by city in 1892. Oldest legible inscription (1889) marks grave of pioneer and Civil War veteran G. W. Durant. Many early settlers are buried here, as are several victims of 1900 hurricane. Name changed to Oak Park in 1953. (1966) #12421
?, Alvin, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09550
Cummings-Smith House. After the Galveston hurricane of 1900 destroyed his home, banker-investor Oscar Smith Cummings (1866-1941) hired contractors Booth and Bigler to salvage the materials and build this Victorian residence in 1900-01. Oscar Smith, owner of a local meat market, bought the dwelling when Cummings moved to Houston in 1904. Threatened with demolition in 1972, the house was purchased and restored by Mr. and Mrs. Hubert G. Howerton. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1977 #9550
503 W. Lang St., Alvin, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #09561
First Methodist Church of Alvin. A Methodist circuit-riding minister, the Reverend Peter Nicholson, founded the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Alvin in 1881. Early worship services were held in the homes of its members and in the local railroad station. The first church building was constructed in 1886 at the intersection of Johnson and Sidnor streets on town lots deeded by Jesse and Celia Hobbs. A brick church building replaced the original structure in 1926. The women of the church donated a pipe organ to the church the same year. By 1955 it was determined that a larger facility was needed to serve the growing membership. A new brick church was completed in 1961 on this site, featuring a large sanctuary, bell tower, tall church steeple and a white columned entry. The church has sponsored many community activities including scouting, preschool classes, youth activities and scholarships, out-of-town excursions for senior citizens, and several innovative social ministry programs. The First Methodist Church of Alvin continues to serve its membership and the vicinity as it has for more than 100 years. (1996) #9561
611 W. South St., Alvin, TX, United States