Texas Historical Marker #11679
Latexo Baptist Church. The community of Stark Switch, originally known as Oldham, was the home of Protestant worship for early settlers from the mid-19th century. Stark Switch Baptist Church of Christ was organized on July 19, 1900, with 27 charter members. The Louisiana Texas Orchard Company became the community's major employer in the early 1900s. The community name changed to Latexo in the company's honor, and the Baptist church name changed to Latexo Baptist Church in 1905. The congregation moved into the local schoolhouse in 1905 and purchased the building from the county in 1912. After 1930 the community gradually moved east with the new main highway, and Latexo Baptist Church followed in 1945. The church thrived in its new location, building new facilities to meet the needs of its members and programs. Celebrating a century of service in the year 2000, the church continues in the traditions of its founders. (2000) #11679
SH 19/US 287 at FM 2663, Latexo, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #07028
Town of Latexo. Early community called Oldham, near Bethel Church and school, was renamed Starks' Switch when International & Great Northern Railroad in 1872 laid sidetrack to serve Starks' sawmill (2 mi. w.). Latexo post office opened in 1907, after the Louisiana Texas Orchard Company platted 3,000 acres of fruit and a town here. Lumbering later stripped timber from area, but permanent settlers grew fruit and cotton. About 1915 Latexo became first Houston County school to teach agriculture. Ranches sprang up, 1960s. Unincorporated, town has fire squad, other civic services. #7028
?, Latexo, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11065
Wesley Chapel Church and Cemetery. A Methodist church was built here in 1903 and named in honor of John Wesley, founder of Methodism. In 1913 a two-room schoolhouse was erected to replace an earlier one-room structure. The school was consolidated with Latexo in 1949. Both the school and church buildings were destroyed by a tornado in 1953. An adjacent cemetery dates to the 1880s, with the earliest marked graves from 1885. Although regular worship services had ended by 1949, the chapel was rebuilt after the tornado and serves as a gathering place for the cemetery association. #11065
?, Latexo, TX, United States