Texas Historical Marker #00513
Briscoe County Jail. Built 1894 of handcut stone hauled here by horse-drawn wagons from Tule Canyon. Early day sheriff's families rented it as residence.Lower floor was used by Red Cross workers, for sewing, during World War I. This jail stands as the lasting reminder of what courage and dedication mean in preserving law, order and integrity in Briscoe County. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1967 #513
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00187
Archeological Sites at Mackenzie Reservoir and Tule Canyon. Before this area was covered by Mackenzie Reservior, evidence of human occupancy was found at 77 recorded archeological sites. The earliest artifacts date back 10,000 years to a bison kill. Prehistoric occupancy is indicated by burial sites, shallow hearths, and stone tools. Gun flints, glass beads, and metal objects confirm 18th century European contact. By 1874 Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzie's 4th Cavalry had driven the Indians from the Tule Canyon area which had been a lush grazing ground for buffalo and antelope. (1979) Incise in base: Marker Sponsor: Briscoe County Historical Commission - 1979 #187
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01770
First Methodist Church of Silverton. Organized as a Sunday school in 1891, the First Methodist Church of Silverton has grown along with the community. The first pastor was the Rev. W.B. Ford, who conducted services here once a month while also serving other communities in the area. Early worship services were held in a grocery store, a one-room schoolhouse, and the courthouse until the first sanctuary was completed in 1902. The sancutuary was replaced in 1929 using some materials from the original building. Additions later were made to house the growing congregation. (1991) #1770
700 Commerce, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05842
William Moten Vaughan (October 15, 1841-March 15, 1928). Born in Missouri. Served in Texas Rangers, 1860-61, and in Civil War, 1862-65. He was a Corporal in last Confederate Army surrendered east of the Mississippi. After the war, he lived in McLennan, Coryell, and Briscoe Counties. Married twice, he had 11 children. Recorded 1971 #5842
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #13111
Site of Holt School (2 miles east). In 1913, G.C. Holt moved his wife and eight children to the Briscoe-Floyd county line. Because of the distance to the nearest school, Holt and neighbor E.M. Lawson organized the Holt school district, commissioned on September 7, 1920 with two acres of land. In 1921, trustees built a one-room frame schoolhouse, and it opened with 15 students, one teacher and courses for grades 1-7. Over the years, teachers often boarded with local families. The school closed in 1933 during the Great Depression, and the building stood vacant until 1944, when it was dismantled. Later, an irrigation well for area farms was located on the former school site. (2005) #13111
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04051
Pleasant Lafayette Crawford House. This Queen Anne style home, which features a wrap around porch, was built in 1904 by Civil War veteran, Pleasant Lafayette Crawford (1837-1912). After Crawford moved here from Arkansas in the late 1880's, he bought ranch land and opened a merchantile business. Later his family came by covered wagon to join him. One of Silverton's founders, Crawford opened the town's first hotel in 1894. After his death, the family kept the home until 1917. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1983 Incise on base: Briscoe County Historical Commission #4051
200 Pulitzer, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04753
Site of Celtic Post Office. The first two post offices in the area were established at Celtic and Luther on May 2, 1891, eleven months before formal organization of Briscoe County. Celtic was named by pioneer E.R. Thomas, who operated the post office and a store in his home near this site. In 1892 the post office was moved to the home of Hayden W. Savage, an organizer of the county. The following year it was consolidated with postal operations in Silverton. Although in service for a short time, the Celtic post office was vital to early settlers, which included cowboys from nearby ranches. (1983) Incise in base: Briscoe County Historical Commission #4753
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #15446
Milo Cemetery. #15446
4 mi. W on SH 86, 8 mi. N on SH 207, 1 mi. W on FM 3300, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #05825
William E. Schott. Briscoe County pioneer William E. Schott (1870-1941) was born in Ohio and moved to North Texas in 1885. Still legally a minor, he came to this area in 1890 and filed a claim for the first of his later extensive landholdings. In 1891 he overcame the caprock barrier by building the first wagon road to Silverton, where in 1892 he helped organize Briscoe County. A major factor in the settlement of this region, Schott Cap Road (1.5 miles north) was improved when auto travel began. Schott supported local education and encouraged improvement of cattle herds. He married (1907) Tina Kitchen; they had four children. (1975) #5825
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #01675
First Baptist Church of Silverton. In the fall of 1891, six months before the official founding of the town of Silverton, a group of citizens met together to form a non-denominational community Sunday school. Early meetings were held in a mercantile store and the county courthouse. Later, the Presbyterian church hosted all denominations in town until each congregation was able to build its own structure. Under the leadership of W.S. Riddell, the First Baptist Church of Christ was organized on April 2, 1882, with sixteen charter members: J.H. & Sarah Askey, A.N. & Jane Askey, W.S. & Vici Riddell, Isaac H. & Sallie Watkins, A. Wright, J.A. & Lucy Northcutt, S.P. & Lee Huss, W.A. P. Matthews, and Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Stovall. By 1900 plans were made for the construction of a sanctuary and soon a one-room structure was built. Throughout its history, this congregation has served the community with a variety of worship, educational, and missionary outreach programs. Continued growth in membership led to the acquisition of property and the construction of additional facilities over the years. A part of Silverton history for over a century, First Baptist Church continues to uphold the traditions of its founders. (1992) #1675
500 Loretta Street, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #04228
Site of Reeves Post Office. Since the railroad was 60 miles from this sparsely populated prairie, the establishment of Reeves post office opened a communication link for the early pioneers. Begun July 13, 1899, in the front room of postmaster Joseph H. Reeves' two-story frame home, the post office served 110 settlers. James U. Strickland bought the house and took over as Postmaster August 24, 1905. He served until the facility closed on March 30, 1907, and mail was delivered to Silverton (8 miles north). After Strickland sold the home to Forrest Leonard Weast in 1909, it was destroyed by fire. (1979) Incise on base: Marker Sponsor: Briscoe County Historical Commission - 1979 #4228
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #03393
Miner Crawford (June 21, 1867 - November 17, 1928). Born in Benton County, Ark. In 1892, when Briscoe County was organized, won election as first sheriff; was reelected in 1894; also later served single terms, 1913-1914 and 1921-1922. First official act was arrest of two horse thieves from New Mexico; in last term he and two deputies waged a gun battle and captured a moonshine still. He bought law and order to area. Was recognized as "Bearing the Stamp of a Gentleman." Recorded, 1967 #3393
?, Silverton, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00512
Briscoe County. Formed from Bexar Territory; Created August 21, 1876; Organized March 15, 1892; Named for Andrew Briscoe 1810-1849; Defender of Texan liberty at the Battle of Concepcion, the Capture of Bexar and the Battle of San Jacinto; Chief Justice of Harris County; Silverton is the County Seat. #512
?, Silverton, TX, United States