Texas Historical Marker #02761
Joel Burditt Crain. Serving as sergeant-major of Gen. Sam Houston's victorious army, accepted sword of Gen. Santa Anna's Chief of Staff, Almonte, in Texas War for Independence. Moved to Texas from Tennessee in 1834. Lived in San Augustine, Nacogdoches, Rusk,and McLennan couties. Received headright (a league and labor) plus 960 acres of land for military service. Married daughter of Gen. James Smith, for whom county was named. The Crains had 8 children. #2761
?, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #12120
First Christian Church of McGregor (Disciples of Christ). Four families formed a Christian church in nearby Comanche Springs in the 1870s, with the Rev. W. L. Harrison as first pastor. In 1883 members moved to the new railroad town of McGregor and built a church on Main Street in 1884. There were 80 members in 1897 when the Christian church split over basic principles; one group retained the property and became the First Christian Church of McGregor in 1899. A new structure was erected on the Main Street site in 1907. The church employed its first female pastor in 1990. The church remains active in missionary work, community service, and worship, rooted in the traditions of the founders. (1998) #12120
609 Main Street, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #12897
Glenn and Mary Gulledge Crain House. Glenn and Mary Gulledge Crain House Glenn Crain (1869-1949) moved to McGregor with his family prior to 1886, when his father was elected the city's first mayor. Crain began selling insurance and, in 1890, married Mary E. Gulledge (1868-1960). They hired Charles Walsh to build this home in 1892. The couple, active in the local Methodist church, raised their family here, and subsequent generations owned and occupied the home until 2000. The house was designed in the Shingle Style, rare in Texas. Features include a cross gable plan and a unique semi-circular belvedere on the front gable end. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2002 #12897
705 S. Adams St, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #02390
Harris Creek Baptist Church. Worship services of the Harris Creek Baptist Church were held for a time in the home of Aquilla and Delila Jones. In 1872 the couple gave this 1.6-acre site for construction of a church and schoolhouse and for a cemetery. In 1879 the fellowship joined Leon River Baptist Association and later Waco Baptist Association. In 1928 after a period of growth a new sanctuary was erected during the pastorate of the Rev. Kermit Melugin. A methodist congregation shared the facility from 1932 until 1960. A new brick auditorium was dedicated in 1977. #2390
?, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #12118
Deyerle-Fall House. William W. Deyerle (1853-1920) banker, rancher, and miller, came to central Texas from Virginia. With his wife Willie (Christie), he hired master stonemason Henry Wissman to build this house. Wissman cut and hauled the limestone himself, placing each stone according to his own plan. Striking architectural features of the house include a hipped roof, arched windows, a central porch with turned columns, and a bracketed cornice. The home was completed in 1892. William Deyerle died in 1920, and after Willie Deyerle and her new husband Camden Sanborn were killed in 1926, the house was inherited by her sister, Mary Fall. The home remained in the Fall family until 1975. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1998 #12118
917 Old Oglesby Road, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05958
Zion Lutheran Church. Many of the people responsible for the establishment of this Lutheran congregation were German immigrants who entered Texas primarily through the Port of Galveston and migrated to the rich farmland of Central Texas. As early as 1890, families began meeting informally in homes for worship services conducted in the German language. In 1892, the growing congregation built and dedicated the Evangelical Lutheran Zions Church southeast of McGregor. By 1921, the congregation had outgrown the facility and hired a San Antonio architect to design a larger church building at this site. The new Gothic-influenced church was completed and dedicated in 1922. By 1946, the congregation discontinued German language worship services. In 1947, the church's name was changed to Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church, though it is commonly known as Zion Lutheran Church. Zion Lutheran Church has served as a place of cultural as well as spiritual renewal for the community throughout its history, and has focused its efforts on helping to establish mission congregations. #5958
?, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01513
Evergreen Cemetery. Pioneer settlers William and Margaret Oliver gave land in 1860 for a church, school, and this cemetery. From 1866 to 1907, families from the surrounding area assembled here for camp meetings -- times of worship, singing, and fellowship. In 1941 the meetings were resumed, as annual reunions of the pioneers' descendants. In 1957 Evergreen was incorporated as a private cemetery. Major Fred N. Oliver, grandson of the donors, started a trust fund for perpetual care. The restored cemetery now is a place for memorial services to honor pioneers of this region. (1976) #1513
?, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01654
First Baptist Church of McGregor. This congregation traces its origin to the establishment in 1858 of the Onion Creek Baptist Church (10 miles SW at present-day Eagle Springs, Coryell County). Members of the Onion Creek congregation later organized the Comanche Springs Baptist Church. The Rev. John McClain and the Rev. Martin Isbill and about 30 members of Comanche Springs Baptist Church established the First Baptist Church of McGregor in1884. The congregation erected its first church building at this site in 1886. In 1890 they joined the Waco Baptist Association which met in McGregor in 1895 and 1907. By 1911 Sunday school enrollment had grown to 280 pupils. Successful fund-raising activities begun by The Ladies Aid Society in 1908 resulted in the building of a new sancturary in 1914. In 1923 the church called its first full-time pastor and in the early 1940s a parsonage was constructed. The church grew steadily and by 1960 membership in the congregation reached 642. A new brick parsonage was built in 1961 and in 1969 a new sancturary was completed. First Baptist Church of McGregor has historically supported numerous local, state, national, and international missionary activities and a number of community outreach programs and activites. #1654
?, McGregor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03296
McGregor. On September 7, 1882, lots in the town of McGregor Springs were sold at public auction. The event had been advertised statewide by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad and the Texas and St. Louis Railway. The community was named for Dr. Gregor Carmichael McGregor (1824-1902), a pioneer Texas physician who later became a prominent Waco businessman. As the settlement grew away from the springs on Harris Creek, it became known as McGregor. Residents of such nearby pioneer settlements as Banks and Eagle Springs were among the first to move their families and businesses here. The post office was even listed as Banks for a short time in 1882. The first school,the McGregor Academy, was opened by J.S. Greenlee in 1883, four years before the McGregor Independent School District was created. The town ws incorporated in 1886 and A. H. Crain was elected to serve as the first mayor. Because of its location on major railroad lines, McGregor first developed as an agricultural shipping center. During World War II it experienced a period of intense growth due to the opening of an ordnance plant. Continued development has resulted from the town's diversified economy and rich heritage. #3296
?, McGregor, TX, United States