Texas Historical Marker #13219
Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In the early twentieth century, the Rev. B.C. Pfiffner came from Marlin (12 mi. NE) once a month to hold Mass for seven local German Catholic families. In May 1905, the parish acquired land at this site for the locaion of Lott's first Catholic church. The following year, members formally dedicated the new sanctuary and began worshipping here as Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. Pfiffner as the first pastor. The parish had a rectory and a school by 1907; J.H. Pels served as the first schoolteacher. That same year, the congregation also established a cemetery northeast of town. Mary Niering, who died in October 1908, was the first to be buried there. The church continued to grow with the addition of new families, and the first Communion and Confirmation service, led by Pfiffner in April 1909, included 29 children. In 1951, the congregation dedicated a larger sanctuary, which was built at the same place as the original building. The new structure incorporated materials from the earlier sanctuary and school, which had been discontinued in 1928. Parishioners and friends donated furnishings for the new house of worship. Between 1906 and 1967, the congregation supported a full-time priest. In 1969, Sacred Heart church became a mission out of nearby Westphalia. In 1982, it became a mission out of Marlin. Throughout the congregation's history, parishioners have been active in Lott through community programs and civic involvement. Over a century after the founding families first gathered to worship, Sacred Heart church continues to serve its members and community through worship and faith, and through an appreciation of its rich heritage. (2005) #13219
213 N 6th St, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05603
United Methodist Church of Lott. This church was organized in January 1890, the same year Lott was incorporated as a town. The first meetings were held in the Masonic lodge building under the direction of the Rev. R. V. Hocutt. Trustees of the church purchased land at this location in 1892 from the Texas Town Site Company. The first sanctuary here was destroyed by a storm before it was completed, and was replaced by the original section of the present building in 1895. Known earlier as Lott Methodist Church, South, and Grace Methodist, the congregation was renamed. #5603
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04068
Jonathan Cochran Pool. (Aug. 6, 1806 - Feb. 21, 1886) A native of Georgia, Jonathan Cochran Pool moved to Texas with his family in 1815, settling in what is now Red River County. As a young man, he enlisted in the Texian Army and participated in early revolutionary skirmishes at Anahuac, Nacogdoches, and San Antonio. Pool later served as an Indian Scout for Gen. Sam Houston. In 1852 he settled in Falls County, where he was a farmer and stock raiser. A Civil War veteran, Pool was buried at this site on his plantation. #4068
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05593
Union Cemetery. Four acres of land were donated for Union Cemetery by early settlers Joseph Marcus Jackson and his wife Eleanor Thompson Jackson. Named Union Cemetery because it serves all of the communities around Durango, the earliest recorded burial was that of infant Mary Braswell in 1836. Among the more than 800 burials are many of the area's pioneer settlers and their descendants, and veterans from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The cemetery is maintained by an association established in 1977, and continues to serve this area of Falls County. #5593
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01842
First Presbyterian Church of Lott. The railroad town of Lott was platted here in 1890 and in 1892 the area Presbytery established this church. A sanctuary, built that year under the direction of the Rev. J. W. Siler, was destroyed by a tornado in 1893. A second church building, erected in 1901, was destroyed by fire after being struck by lightning in 1939. A third sanctuary was completed at this site in 1942 and in 1951 a manse was built adjacent to the sanctuary. The congregation has traditionally supported a Ladies Auxiliary and a Sunday School, and continues to be active in national and foreign missionary activities. #1842
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05772
Westphalia Little School. Plans for the establishment of a school to serve the German Catholic community of Westphalia began soon after the earliest settlers arrived here in 1879. Under the direction of the first trustees, Anton Jansing, Joseph Hoelscher,and Stanislaus Rollewitz, the school was set up to provide parochial and public instruction. The Westphalia Little School opened in 1884. Early teachers were J. H. Pels; Professor A. Kechoff; Brother Stefan Geiser, CPPS; George Laloumoudiere; G. Horst Daniel; Joseph Henke; and Tim Sullivan. The building was originally constructed as the Church of Visitation. After being heavily damaged by storms, it was remodeled in 1893 for use as the community schoolhouse. In 1899 the Sisters of Divine Providence from Our Lady of the Lake Covent in San Antonio began teaching in the school. Although the parochial program ended in 1935, the Sisters have continued to serve in the public school. Since 1884 Westphalia Little School has continued to offer area residents a quality educational program based on a cooperative effort between public and parochial instruction. #5772
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00863
Church of the Visitation. German natives who settled originally in Colorado County came here in 1879 looking for better land. Pleased with the soil and location, they brought their families and immediately purchased 100 acres for a church and school. The earliest Mass was said in 1882 in the home of the first settler, Theodore Rabroker. The original church building, completed in February 1884, was destroyed the following May by a terrible storm. The congregation rebuilt the structure by July. Large numbers of German-American Catholic families moved into the area. Westphalia was named after the province from which the early settlers came. Visiting priests served until 1893 when the Rev. Michael Heintzelmann was assigned as the permanent pastor. He led the congregation for the next 36 years. In 1895, with A. Fuchs of Waco as the designer and contractor, the present church house was completed. The stones were shipped by railroad from Muldoon, Texas, to Lott (8 mi. NE) and then hauled here by wagon. The central church area forms a Latin cross. For safety in storms, six inches of sway was built into the bell towers. The original-design stained glass windows are very rare and priceless. This is one of the largest wooden church buildings in the state. #863
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01841
First Presbyterian Church of Marlin. The Presbyterian faith was preached in the Falls County Courthouse in Marlin in 1852, from a pulpit that was drawn up into the rafters when not in use. Presbyterians organized a church in 1853 in Carolina community (10 mi SE) and held missionary services here. On May 2, 1874, the Rev. Levi Tenney and the Rev. Hilary Mosely, commissioned by Central Presbytery, Synod of Texas, organized this church. Mrs. S. K. Bartlett, A. M. Chatam, William McPherson, W. L. Patillo, K. Sewall, and Dr. and Mrs. E. S. Weisiger were charter members. Agnes Patillo Clark, W. S. Clark, and Mrs. H. Singer soon joined. Ruling elders were Patillo and Dr. Weisiger. After years of worship in borrowed quarters, this congregation erected its first building in 1893, at corner of Fortune and Perry streets. Motte Martin, a youth who joined this church in 1894, became in 1902 one of the earliest missionaries to the Congo. Present edifice completed in March, 1918, was site of the city's service of Thanksgiving on Nov. 22, 1918, at end of World War I. Synod of Texas met here 1922. The educational building was erected in 1954; present manse, 1966. Since 1972, Marlin has been in Presbytery of the Covenant, in the Synod of Red River. #1841
411 Oaks St., Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03133
Lott. Located on a straight line from Cameron to Waco, this site was the natural choice for development of a new town along the San Antonio and Arkansas Pass Railroad in 1889. The Texas Townsite Company bought land from area pioneers Captain and Mrs. George H. Gassaway, who had purchased 7,000 acres in 1871. The railroad was given a right-of-way, and development began on a town, named in honor of railroad president Uriah Lott (1842- 1915). As the construction crew worked to complete the rail line businesses sprang to life in the new town. A post office was established, and the city was incorporated in a November 1890 election. City officers were elected in December, and Albert B. Hemphill became the first mayor. The Texas Townsite Company donated land to the town for a school and churches. The first school opened in 1890, followed by churches of several denominations. Fraternal organizations were established, and the Lott Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1895. Following the completion of the railroad, Lott experienced a time of rapid growth. Although the railroad route closed in 1949, the town flourished. #3133
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03809
Old Settlers and Veterans Association of Falls County. Some 75 years after pioneers opened this region, the "Old Settlers Association of Falls County" was organized on July 4, 1908. In 1909, the Willis L. Lang Camp of Confederate veterans and the settlers held a joint reunion. Merging later, they chartered the "Old Settlers and Confederate Veterans Association of Falls County" in 1911. Goals were to memorialize deceased comrades, honor the pioneers, and preserve southern history. Signing the charter where John M. Jolly, Edmund Pierson, and J. H. Robertson of Marlin; R. B. Bratton of Kosse; N. R. Watkins and F. O. Porter of Lott. This 17.9-acre permanent reunion ground was acquired in 1912 from the family of J. K. Tomlinson, an 1858 settler from Georgia who, along with a son William, enlisted and died in the Civil War. In 1936, an historic log cabin was relocated here--to exhibit pioneer memorabilia. A new charter in 1946 renamed the organization the "Old Settlers and Veterans Association," signifying its opening to the soldiers of later wars. Patriotism, education and historical preservation are still stressed. Falls Countians in state and national life reflect ideals which have been instilled by this association. #3809
?, Lott, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03102
Live Oak Cemetery. The pioneer Falls County community of Live Oak began shortly after the Civil War. Originally known as Camden and later as Rupee, the settlement was the site of stores, a cotton gin, post office, doctors and a Masonic lodge. The Live Oak Baptist Church was established in the early 1870s. A log cabin served as the sanctuary and was also used as a schoolhouse. Land for the church, school and this community cemetery was donated by brothers George and E. R. Hodges, sons of pioneer area settler Homer Hodges. The earliest marked graves in the burial ground date from 1877 and are inscribed with the names Ida May and Mary T. Other graves here include those of E. R. Hodges (1840-1905) and members of his family; Pinkney Pulaski Hodges (1813-1895) and his descendants; prominent community leaders J. J. Hodges (d. 1918) and his son Bradley (d. 1961); and members of the pioneer Vinson and Jordan families. Live Oak began to decline in the 1890s when the area was bypassed by rail lines. The Baptist Church closed and the school was consolidated with the Lott district. Only the pioneer Live Oak Cemetery remains to mark the site of the early agricultural settlement. #3102
?, Lott, TX, United States