Texas Historical Marker #11488
Site of The Kishi Colony. Japanese native Kichimatsu Kishi (d. 1956), a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-05, established an agricultural colony at this site in 1908. The first settlers were Japanese tenant farmers. Despite their eventual American citizenship and the adoption of several Western customs, they managed to maintain the traditions of their homeland. Several crops were raised here, but the fertile soil and abundant water were best suited for rice production. Later, workers of Mexican and French Louisiana descent joined the settlement. In order to serve the growing colony, Kishi deeded land for a church and a school. A nearby cemetery was started in 1910 for the burial of a young colonist, T. Toba. Unstable market prices, damaged crops, and financial hardships led to the decline of the colony. The end came as a result of the economic Depression of the 1930s. Some settlers moved to other states, but many remained. Several of the men served with American forces during World War II. The Kishi colony was instrumental in the economic growth of Orange County. Only the cemetery and a few structures mark the site, but descendants of original settlers still live in Southeast Texas. #11488
FM 1135, Vidor, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #11553
William Williamson. (1829-1900) This community egan in 1867 when Louisiana native William Williamson and his wife Joissine Desmarais bought squatters rights and a log house on this tract of public land. Their home served as the community gathering place for socials and church meetings. After the death of their son Absolom in 1890, the Williamson Cemetery (1.3 mi. N) was set aside. Vitally interested in education, Williamson served as a school trustee as did several of his 15 children and their descendants. In 1900 Williamson and his wife were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; this marked the beginning of Mormonism in this area. The first church house of pine logs was erected about 1901 by volunteers. In 1915 a frame building was constructed here on an acre of land donated by Williamson's son Joseph. Signs of the Williamson influence in the community include: an early school and a major road bearing the name; the annual July 24th commemoration of the Mormons' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley; the public cemetery which has about 650 graves; the Family Genealogical Association; and this church building which is located at the center of the community. #11553
?, Vidor, TX, United States