Texas Historical Marker #01597
First Taylor County Jail - Courthouse. #1597
FM 89, Buffalo Gap, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01497
Ernie Wilson Museum. Located in Taylor County's historic first courthouse and jail. Although Taylor County was organized in July 1868, the building was not completed until May 20, 1880, because of Indian scares and lack of funds. Scene of frequent jail breaks, lynching. Note cannon balls (marked by arrows) keying limestone blocks. (1964) #1497
FM 89, Buffalo Gap, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00559
Buffalo Gap Cemetery. Oldest public cemetery in Taylor County; used by residents of Buffalo Gap even before the earliest known headstones were erected, about 1877. In the older section of the ten-acre plot are 146 graves, many of Civil War veterans and pioneer citizens of Taylor County. Tract is still in use. (1968) #559
FM 89, 1 mile W. of Buffalo Gap, Buffalo Gap, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05523
Town of Buffalo Gap. Probably named for the pass in Callahan Divide (mountains) crossed by thousands of buffalo that once inhabited this area. Besides providing the native Apache and Comanche Indians with food, buffaloes drew the first white hunters here, about 1874. First homes in present town were dugouts of buffalo hunters. The community began to grow in 1878 when it was named county seat and was located on the western cattle trail. In 1883, however, the new railroad town of Abilene became county seat and Buffalo Gap, like so many small Texas towns, lost prestige. #5523
West and Vine St., Buffalo Gap, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00560
Buffalo Gap College. Founded 1885 by Presbyterian Church, institution previously operated as a high school. In peak year, over 300 pupils, many from distant places, attended. First president was W. H. White. College had greatest success under J. M. Wagstaff. Presidents later were J. W. Melton, R. W. Benge, E. W. Doran, J. N. Ellis, John Collier, J. B. Clay and (again) W. H. White. The two-story, red sandstone building had four classrooms on the first floor, an auditorium on the second, and a belfry. The curriculum included courses in Latin, Greek, Christian evidence, physics, calculus, and music. (1968) #560
West and Vine St., Buffalo Gap, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05647
Vicinity of Indian Fight. On August 29, 1863, Indian riders (probably Comanches) coming north from Mason County, with stolen horses, were caught a mile east of Buffalo Gap by Lt. T. C. Wright and eleven state troopers. The outnumbered soldiers were forced to attack up a steep hill and the Indians, determined to keep the herd, fought stubbornly. Wright and his men - two with severe arrow wounds - finally gave up the unequal fight and the Indians escaped with the horses. A lone rider was sent under cover of night to Camp Colorado (45 miles southeast) to bring an ambulance for the wounded. (1968) #5647
Old Settlers Reunion Grounds, Vine and West St., Buffalo Gap, TX, United States