Texas Historical Marker #12255
Mattox Cemetery. Several families from Alabama and Georgia settled in this area in the 1850s. According to oral history, slaves were interred around this site. The first recorded burial was that of Milla Ann Greer Oliver, who died in 1861. The graveyard became known as the "Old Family Cemetery." William and Martha Greer deeded land including this site for a church and cemetery in 1887. A cemetery association was formed in 1970. Members of the Covin, Jones, Loyd, Mattox, Oliver, Williams, and Willeford families are interred here. Of the more than four hundred burials, several are those of veterans of U. S. and international conflicts from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. The Mattox Cemetery remains a chronicle of the pioneers of Upshur County. (1999) #12255
?, Diana, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11352
Walnut Creek Baptist Church. Pioneer settlers of this area formally organized a Baptist Church of Christ at Walnut Creek about 1855. In 1856 the congregation acquired more than 17 acres here on which they built a sanctuary and established a cemetery. The oldest marked grave dates to 1870. The congregation expanded its facilities over the years to provide Sunday School services, a parsonage, and to accommodate a growing membership. A new brick sanctuary was erected near this site in 1978. The church continues to support a variety of ministries, maintain the historic cemetery, and serve the local community. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845 - 1995 #11352
?, Diana, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11347
Two Early Railroads. The Marshall & East Texas Railroad, chartered 1908 was part of a line built 1882. Operated a passenger train nicknamed the "Misery & Eternal Torment," and ran a logging train until 1917. The Port Bolivar & Iron Ore Line was founded 1911 to haul ore from Upshur County to the Texas Coast, but never built farther than Longview, 30 miles south. It ceased operations in 1929. The history of these lines is that of many "special interest" railroads. They thrived during the early days of Texas industry, but today have been abandoned or incorporated into larger lines. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 #11347
?, Diana, TX, United States