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Texas Historical Marker #03849
Olive Branch Cemetery. The first burial at this site occurred in the early 1870s. Area settlers H. H. Bradford, B. P. Cox, J. C. Cartwright, and J. C. Weaver, donated the property for the interment of a young girl who had died on a wagon train. The earliest marked grave is that of Maria B. Smith (1805-1875). During the 1890s, a sanctuary was built north of the burial ground for a Methodist Episcopal Church. As declining soil conditions caused families to move from the area, the congregation became inactive. The chapel was removed by 1914, but the Olive Branch Cemetery remains in use. #3849
CR 1771, N of Chico, Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04290
Robert Calvin Mount. Born in Tennessee. Came to Texas 1855, and was elected first assessor-collector of taxes, Wise County 1856. A First Lieutenant, Bythe's Militia in Civil War. Built fort-like rock home near Chico, 1874. An outstanding pioneer of Wise County. #4290
Mount Street, N. of Chico, Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05378
The Methodist Church in Chico. Founded in May 1872 when Robert Calvin Mount (1826-97), his wife, and three other pioneers worshiped in log schoolhouse. Their pastor: The Reverend S.S. Cobb. Mount donated first church site. In 100 years, congregation has had five successive buildings on five sites. #5378
Maginnis & Weatherford St., Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01620
First Baptist Church of Chico. Organized in 1874 in home of B. F. Booth by Missionary Noah T. Byars (1808-88), assisted by the Reverend Sithemore, who became pastor. Congregation met at Booth's and in the H. P. Morris home until it acquired site east of present church and built a brush arbor for summertime use, worshiping in the schoolhouse in winter. The earliest frame church was replaced by a larger one in 1908; Sunday School rooms were added in 1936; the educational building was erected in 1959; the present sanctuary was completed in 1962. Original membership of five has increased to more than 400. #1620
Church and Weatherford, Chico, TX, United States
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Texas Historical Marker #02364
Hanna-Robinson-Richey Drugstore. Alexander Virgil Hanna (1860-1921) erected this native sandstone structure to house his drugstore in 1893. He provided office space in this building for a doctor, lawyer, jeweler, and the first telephone switchboard in Chico. Hanna sold the business in 1920 to Rueben R. Robinson (1872-1955), whose daughter and son-in-law, LaBeth and William Marston Mead (d. 1968) continued to operate the store after his death. It was purchased in 1973 by Bobby and Frances Richey. #2364
Jacksboro & Buffalo St., Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #13754
Babb Cemetery. Established September 5, 1866, when Mrs. John S. Babb was killed by Comanche Indians. The party also captured a widow, Mrs. Luster (who soon escaped); as well as two of Babb's children, Dot and Bianca, who were held captive for two years before being rescued by their father. (1968) #13754
?, Chico, TX, United States
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Texas Historical Marker #04693
Siddons-Barnes Log Cabin. This log cabin, believed to have been built in the early 1870s, was the first place of worship for area Methodists and served as a schoolhouse. Dr. J. A. Siddons and his wife M. E. Siddons purchased the cabin in 1883 and enclosed it with other rooms. In 1918 J. D. Barnes and Rachel Perkins Barnes bought the property. The rooms surrounding the original log cabin were removed in the 1970s. It was moved to this site in 1987, and the fireplace stones were restored. The cabin features half-notched rough hewn oak logs, an interior loft, and measures 256 square feet. (1997) #4693
Main St., Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00531
Brown Hotel. Colonel J.T. Brown founded town of Chico in 1876; built this hotel 1888. In ceremony on hotel porch, Governor Charles A. Culberson pardoned Brown for his part in an 1895 fight fatality. Banker-tenant R. Lee Morris owned Brown Hotel from 1908 to 1965. #531
Decatur St., Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04151
R. C. Mount House. A surveyor, part-time Methodist preacher, and Wise County's first tax assessor-collector, R. C. Mount (1826-97) began this structure in 1872 to house his large family. Built of rock that Mount and his sons hauled by wagon from Palo Pinto County, the original 2-story section was completed in 1874. Contractor H. A. Saye of Amarillo enlarged the house in 1890, and further remodeling was done in 1920. The property is still owned by the Mount family. #4151
Mount Street, N. of Chico, Chico, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02632
Indian Captives Dot and Bianca Babb. Two of Texas history's best-known Indian captives, 13-year-old T. A. "Dot" Babb (1852-1936) and his 9-year-old sister Bianca (1855?-1950) were stolen by Comanches from their home near here in September of 1865. While at play one day, the children were surprised by a raiding party of 35 to 40 Indians. Mrs. Babb was killed and Dot, Bianca, and Mrs. Luster (a visitor) were taken to Indian Territory (present Oklahoma). After helping Mrs. Luster escape on the way, Dot was very nearly executed, but so stoic was he in facing death that the Indians admiringly spared his life. For the next two years Dot and Bianca lived, in different tribes, as adopted Comanches. Bianca later recalled that the Indians held a feast - with coffee, a luxury - upon her arrival and that they colored her blonde hair with charcoal and buffalo tallow. Dot, after a winter as the squaws' flunky, asserted his male rights and thereafter spent his time taming horses. He was taken on raids against other tribes and showed signs of becoming a fine warrior. After two years, the children's father ransomed them and a joyful reunion occurred. Both Dot and Bianca spoke with sympathy, however, of many Indian customs and of kind treatment during captivity. #2632
FM 1810, E of Chico, Chico, TX, United States