ARCHER COUNTY HISTORICAL MARKERS Contributed by: Joan Renfrow ******************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************************** ARCHER COUNTY HISTORICAL MARKERS The Texas Historical Commission http://www.thc.state.tx.us/index.html ALEX ALBRIGHT Marker #109 Location: 1 mi. E on US82/277 City: Dundee Marker Erected: 1971 Marker Text: (September 22, 1861-April 8, 1937) A pioneer American karakul breeder. Born in Nebraska; grew up in cattle business. In 1890 came to Dundee; opened a general store. Built Elm Ledge Ranch (1400 acres on Holliday Creek, 4 mi. SE). At first raised purebred Lincoln sheep. In 1910, with help of U.S. ex-President Theodore Roosevelt and the Czar of Russia, he imported valuable karakul sheep from Asia. Later his upbred flock of 1200 took prizes all over the world. Albright's first wife, Dorothy Jane Duncan, died in 1900. Second wife, Marie Sahores, assisted him in ranching business. Daughters were Zella, Ester, and Marie. Erect by Mrs. Jake Webb (Zella Albright) and Archer County Historical Survey Committee ANARENE, EXTINCT TOWN OF Marker #1520 Location: On SH 79, 8 miles south of Archer City City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1976 Marker Text: Landowner Charles E. Graham (1872-1937) in 1908 granted the Wichita Falls and Southern Railroad a route across his property and platted a town at this site. Anarene was named for his wife Annie Lawrence Graham, daughter of pioneer cattleman J. Marion Keen. Graham built a hotel and obtained a post office, cattle pens, dipping vat and other facilities. The town schoolhouse was used for religious services. In 1921 oil was discovered nearby. A refinery was built in 1938. When oil production ceased and the trains stopped running in 1954, Anarene quickly declined. ARCHER CITY METHODIST CHURCH Marker #188 Location: 224 South Center City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1985 Marker Text: This congregation began as a mission in 1880, the same year Archer City was organized. The earliest pastors, including the Rev. D.D. Duncan and the Rev. I.N. Crutchfield, were circuit riders who also served neighboring counties. Members of Archer City Methodist Church constructed their first sanctuary in 1889 and built new facilities in later years as they grew in numbers. The church became a full-time, self-supporting member of the North Texas Conference in 1912. Throughout its history the congregation has provided significant service to the community. ARCHER COUNTY Marker #189 Location: 6 mi. S on SH 79 City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1936 Marker Text: A part of the Peters Grant, 1841; Created January 22, 1858; Organized July 27, 1880; Named in honor of Dr. Branch Tanner Archer 1790-1856; Texas Commissioner to the United States, 1835, Member of Congress, Secretary of War of the Republic of Texas. First permanent settlement, 1874; First railroad, 1890; Archer City, the county seat. (1936, 1986) ARCHER COUNTY COPPER MINES Marker #190 Location: 4.5 mi. NW on SH 25 City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1971 Marker Text: The civilized world first heard of copper in this area from Texas Rangers after an 1860 campaign against Comanche on the Pease River, about 100 miles to the northwest. The Ranger Captain, Lawrence S. ("Sul") Ross, later to serve Texas as governor, had nuggets picked off the surface of the ground and hauled to Austin. In 1861, Assistant State Geologist S. B. Buckley charted the mineral site. The Rangers' ore haul was processed and used in gun caps for Confederate forces during the Civil War. To get more of the needed metal, the Texas Copper Mining & Manufacturing Company was founded on May 28, 1864, but wartime shortage of men apparently prevented recovery of copper at that time. The T.C.M.&M. Co., based in Dallas, sent W. F. Cummings to Archer County in 1880 to open mining sites. Although the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture and Statistics reported in 1882 that no mining had commenced, ore eventually was hauled out and shipped to smelters in the east. No central vein or deposit could be found. The Boston & Texas Copper Company of Tucson, Ariz., leased the mine site here in 1899. It produced some copper ore which was processed in El Paso, but again the project failed to meet expectations. (1971) ARCHER COUNTY COURTHOUSE ID #7 Location: SH 79 and Center St. City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1965 Description: Designed by A. N. Dawson, the Archer County Courthouse was constructed from 1891 to 1892. It was similar to many courthouses built during the late nineteenth century. Two intersecting corridors divide the ground story into four quadrants. Modifications: 1928 Empire influenced details, central tower, and mansard roofs removed, and third floor added. Second floor arches were replaced with flat lintels. 1960: remodeling closed some windows in. 1985: ADA improvements--ramps and elevator added. ARCHER COUNTY COURTHOUSE Marker #191 Location: SH 79 and Center St. City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1963 Marker Text: Courthouse, Archer County, 1891. Besides government, housed many pioneer social affairs. Dome, cupola removed, 1925. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965. ARCHER COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND JAIL Ref. # 77001424 Location: Public Sq. and Sycamore and Pecan Sts. City: Archer City Marker Text: Constructed in 1891-1892, the Archer County Courthouse was located on the block set aside as the public square and it is the only structure on that block. The plans developed by architect A. N. Dawson were similar to those of most courthouses built during the late nineteenth century, but varied slightly in the arrangement of interior spaces. On the ground story, as was usual, two corridors furnishing access from all four sides and intersecting at right angles divided the floor into four quadrants. In these areas were located the tax office, tax assessor, county and district clerks, and commissioners' court. On the second floor was the district courtroom, positioned with the bench adjacent to the south wall. On the north, separated by a corridor which also furnished access to the courtroom, was a row of offices. The second floor was planned for good natural light and ventilation. Located adjacent to the east and west exterior walls, open stairways flanked the sides of the courtroom which was provided with windows opening into the stairwells. When these and the exterior stair windows were open the courtroom was cooled by the southwest breezes. The exterior walls of the courthouse are of brown quarry-faced sandstone obtained from a quarry nearby. Openings in the corner pavilions were spanned by Roman arches with strong extrados. Triple arches mark the east and west entrances while double arches appear over the north and south entrances. On the second-story, centered in the south and north elevations, round-arched openings resemble Palladian motifs; surmounting these is a balustrade. Subtle design refinements include string courses, corner pilasters, and an ornamental cornice. As originally constructed, each of the four corner pavilions was surmounted by a roof with a convex curvature, relieved by bull 's-eye windows. Rising from the center of the courthouse was a massive octagonal tower, with four clock faces, terminated with a cupola, all clad with sheet metal. In 1925 and 1960, the courthouse was remodeled. The tower and roofs over the corner pavilions were removed in the early alterations. At the same time, a third floor was added and some of the second story openings were modified by replacing the arches with lintels. However, the essential original character of the courthouse, on both the inside and outside, is still quite apparent. Included in the original interior furnishings are the vaults, vault doors and stairs. Located a block north of the courthouse, the Archer County Jail was erected in 1910, replacing a wooden jail constructed in 1886. It contains three floors with the sheriff's quarters occupying the ground floor. On the second floor were numerous cells grouped into blocks which allowed the segregation of prisoners. On the third floor were additional cells and a patented installation with a steel trap door for execution of the death penalty by hanging. Communication between all levels was via steel stairs. The construction of the jail was typical of the period. Walls were brown sandstone and the floors were comprised of steel I beams supporting corrugated iron arches, over which was placed concrete. In 1974 the jail was abandoned. During the period of its original use 8,052 prisoners had occupied the cells. In 1975 the county, for a small sum, sold the jail to the American Legion Post No. 198 and the Archer County Historical Commission. A deed restriction requires that the building be used only for a museum. Although the design of the Archer County Jail is straight forward, string courses and cornice ornamentation are noteworthy exterior design features. A tower accents the southwest corner and a porch supported by stone columns with rudimentary capitals emphasizes the south entrance. The jail well represents the stage of development that detention facilities had reached by the turn of the century. Although now a museum the interior remains virtually unchanged; all the cells and installations in the sheriff's quarters are extant. The district around the public square still retains much of its nineteenth- century character, with commercial buildings facing the courthouse on all sides. This area formed the setting for the filming of much of the movie, "The Last Picture Show." Both the courthouse and the jail possess county architectural significance. Representative of determined efforts to have law and governmental organization on a lonely frontier, at the turn of the century they were remarkable achievements in West Texas. Then, as now, they were the focal points of the community and were the strongest architectural expressions to be found in Archer County. The courthouse was designed by one of the most active and talented nineteenth-century architects in West Texas, A. N. Dawson. In addition, the jail is noteworthy for the structural technology represented in construction incorporating steel and concrete. The design of the courthouse is the product of an architectural competition. On March 10, 1891, the Commissioners Court of Archer County ordered the publication of invitations to architects to submit plans for a new courthouse to cost not less than $25,000 nor more than $35,000. On April 16, 1891, after having examined twenty- five sets of plans and specifications, A.N. Dawson of Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded the commission to develop detailed plans and specifications. Two months later the contract between the county and the contractors, J. S. DeWees and Jacob Rath, of Throckmorton, Texas, was signed. The contract amount was $32,500. The Archer County Courthouse is a good example of style incorporating Romanesque Revival design features. Ashlar masonry and Roman arches all contribute to the visual strength of the style of this temple of justice. BIBLIOGRAPHY ON FILE IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER ARCHER COUNTY DISCOVERY WELL Marker #192 Location: Courthouse lawn, SH 79 and Center St. City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: M. P. Andrews No. 1, drilled in 1911, reached oil sands at 920 feet. Well first flowed oil, March, 1912, at rate of 10 barrels a day. Production in this shallow sand development area fell off when oil prices dropped, but rose after other pools in the region were tapped from 1916 to 1921. Since then, Archer County has become one of the state's most productive. The Hull-Silk-Sikes Well, 1939, opened a major field. More than 333 million barrels of crude oil have been produced by the county since 1911, with Andrews No. 1 still pumping. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967. ARCHER COUNTY JAIL Marker #193 Location: 100 N. Sycamore City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1985 Marker Text: By 1909 Archer County had outgrown its original jail, a 16-foot square frame building. Construction on this larger facility was completed in Sept. 1910. The sandstone structure was designed with living quarters for the sheriff and his family on the ground floor. The second and third floors had cells and a hanging gallows which was never used. The first prisoner held in this jail was arrested for stealing a horse. More than 8,000 prisoners were jailed here until the county opened a new facility in 1974. (1985) BOWMAN CEMETERY Marker #475 Location: 0.8 mi. N of SH 79/FN 1954 intersection City: Lakeside City Marker Erected: 1986 Marker Text: Land for this cemetery was donated in 1885 by W. A. Bacon to the Evangelical Missionary Society of North America. The first burial, that of Christina Schmith (b. 1857), took place the same year. The unique sandstone mausoleum on the south side of the cemetery was built about the turn of the century by A. F. Decker (d. 1927) for his parents. Many of the burials are those of German immigrants, reflecting the influence of the German culture in this area. A cemetery association was organized in 1940 to care for the graveyard. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986. BOWMAN CHURCH, SITE OF EARLY Marker #4775 Location: FM 1954, 4 mi. W City: Holliday Marker Erected: 1970 Marker Text: Organized as "Wichita Class" in Stringtown (now Bowman) by settlers from northern U.S. For years German and English services were held in 1888. A parsonage was built beside the schoolhouse where members worshipped. In 1893 congregation was named "Bowman" in honor of Bishop Thomas Bowman. A church building was erected in 1897. In 1901 both church and parsonage were moved one mile south of town to this site. The church played host to 5 annual church conferences, 1900-1920. In 1932 it merged with First Church of Wichita Falls. (1970) Erected by Walter Ford and Bowman Community. BRIDWELL PARK Marker #510 Location: US 281 Roadside Park 5 mi. S City: Windthorst Marker Erected: 1972 Marker Text: Donated to his countrymen by conservationist-philanthropist Joseph Sterling Bridwell (1885-1966), Missourian who moved to Texas in 1909. Drilling his first well in 1921 on W. T. Waggoner estate, in 1927 he formed Bridwell Oil Co., which ultimately produced 50 million barrels of petroleum. In 1932 he bought local ranch (with headquarters 5 mi. to NW), where he bred famous herd sire Larry Domino and other fine Herefords. A founder and president (1940), West Texas Chamber of Commerce, Bridwell gave nation the site for Sheppard Air Force Base. He and wife had 2 daughters. (1972) BUFFALO ROAD, OLD Marker #3695 Location: 15 mi. NE on SH 79 City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1973 Marker Text: Named for traffic in buffalo hides and bones, road from plains hunting grounds crossed this site. Hunters hauled thousands of hides to market in 1870s. The first settlers in late 1870s-80s sold bones for fertilizer and bought supplies to sustain life during hard times. Erected by Archer County Historical Survey Committee, 1973. COMANCHE EXODUS, ON ROUTE OF THE Marker #3861 Location: SH 114, adjacent to City Park City: Megargel Marker Erected: 1971 Marker Text: After living 1854-58 on the reservation set aside by State of Texas near Camp Cooper (30 mi. SW), the Comanche Indians with their goods were removed to Oklahoma. Near this spot on a head branch of Kickapoo Creek (so named, 1830) the exodus camped on Aug. 3, 1859, with its escort, a company of 1st United States Infantry under Capt. C. C. Gilbert, along with the Indian agent Matthew Leeper. At same time (25 mi. E), Maj. George H. Thomas escorted the supervising Indian agent, Maj. R. S. Neighbors, and 1059 Lower Brazos Reserve Indians to Oklahoma reservation. Megargel was founded here, 1910. Erected by Archer County Historical Survey Committee. (1971) CONFLUENCE OF THE BRAZOS, TRINITY, AND RED RIVER WATERSHEDS Marker #5313 Location: From Olney take US 79 3 miles north City: Olney Marker Erected: 1976 Marker Text: The Trinity, a major Texas river rises 250 yards west of this 1250-foot mound. South of this site water drains to the Brazos, and north and west to the Red. This high point has been important in Texas history. It guided Capt. Diego Parilla to battle Indians on the Red in 1759 and aided Capt. R. B. Marcy in mapping a California trail in 1849. Marcy and Maj. R. S. Neighbors used it as a beacon point in finding a site for an Indian reservation in 1854. It also was on U.S. Cavalry maps for 1870s Indian campaigns. (1976) BATTLE OF THE LITTLE WICHITA Marker # Location: from Archer City, take FM 25 North about 2 miles to Roadside Park. City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1974 Marker Text: In reaction to an Indian attack on a mail stage, Capt. Curwen B. McLellan set out on July 6, 1870, from Fort Richardson with 56 men of the 6th Cavalry. On July 12, McLellan's command encountered a war party of 250 Kiowas led by "Kicking Bird" near the north fork of the Little Wichita (6 miles NW). After a brief skirmish, McLellan ordered his troops into retreat, fighting a defensive battle across the middle and south forks of the Little Wichita. The Indians gave up the chase on the 13th. Corporal John Given and Private George Blume were killed; 13 Medals of Honor were awarded for heroism. (1974) CAMP CURETON, C. S. A. Marker #659 Location: West side of courthouse square, SH 79 at Center St. City: Archer City Year Marker Erected: 1963 Marker Text: Star and Wreath Strategically established during Civil War on defense line Red River to Rio Grande where Gainesville-Fort Belknap Road crossed west fork Trinity River about 10 miles south, 4 miles east of Archer City. Texas Frontier Regiment patrolled area frequently to check Comanche raids. Poorly fed, lacking horses and ammunition, these rugged Confederates more effectively curbed Indians than U.S. had, protected supply trains, guarded against Union action. Named for Capt. Jack Cureton, Camp Commander, veteran Mexican, Indian Wars. A Memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy; Erected by the State of Texas 1963. DAD'S CORNER Marker #1155 Location: From Holliday, take FM 368 about 5 miles south City: Holliday Marker Erected: 1986 Marker Text: The result of a 1923 oil boom, development of a town at this site included some twenty-two businesses, including a food stand operated by a man with the nickname "Dad", which provided a name for the settlement. Located at this crossroads were a hotel, cafe, school, stores, ice house, and more. Early residents remembered tales of lawlessness and Texas Ranger patrols. The county's largest oil field was one-half mile southeast, and many area residents changed from cowboys to oil field workers. After the boom, Dad's Corner became a ghost town. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986. DUDLEY SHOW, THE D.S. Marker #5319 Location: On US 82 City: Mankins Marker Erected: 1974 Marker Text: Founded in late 19th or early 20th century as a wild west circus, the D. S. Dudley Show has been chief industry in Mankins for over half a century. Dick "Cheyenne" Dudley (born in 1896), a prize-winning bronc rider, bought the show in 1914, interrupted his career to serve overseas in the U.S. Army in World War I, came back and married Ruth Wolf of Mankins. Together they toured the Southwest with the show 8 months of the year, employing as many as 250 people, wintering here with their exotic animals. Younger generations of their family continue with the show. (1974) FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ARCHER CITY Marker #1608 Location: 238 South Oak St. City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1980 Marker Text: Soon after Archer City was laid out in 1879, a building intended for a saloon was bought by residents for use as a schoolhouse. In February 1880, eight members organized First Baptist Church in the school building and worshiped there until a meetinghouse was erected in 1890. The structure was destroyed in a storm and rebuilt. The Rev. Joe B. (Uncle Joe) Benson, the first pastor, also preached in nearby communities. The Sunday School began in 1899. Westfork, Baxter, and New Bethel Community Baptist Churches joined this fellowship. Sanctuaries were erected in 1929 and in 1972. (1980) FIRST METHODIST CHURCH OF HOLLIDAY Marker #1759 Location: 123 Myrtle St. City: Holliday Marker Erected: 1986 Marker Text: Although records of the congregation date to 1892, Methodist circuit-riding ministers were serving this area as early as 1889. R. P. McElwreath was the first pastor of the Holliday church. Ten acres of land were deeded to the church, and the plot was known as the Holliday Campground. The first church building was erected about 1900, largely due to the efforts of church member James Madison Taylor (1836-1921). The wooden frame church was razed in the 1920s, and a new brick structure was built in 1927 during the pastorate of S.M. Dunham. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986. IN VICINITY OF FRENCH TRADING AREA Marker #2627 Location: From Archer City, take FM 25 North about 2 miles to roadside park at intersection with FM 210. City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1969 Marker Text: In the mid-1700s, Indians of this region met at a trading ground near this site with Frenchmen who brought them manufactured goods, sometimes including guns and ammunition--products denied them by the Spanish who held sovereignty, but could not prevent intrusions from Louisiana. The Spanish explorer Jose Mares on a road-mapping expedition here in 1787 saw evidences of the French. Among noted early-day visitors were Captain R. B. Marcy of the U.S. Army and Indian agent R. S. Neighbors, who camped nearby in 1854 while seeking a good site for an Indian reservation. (1974) GERALDINE Marker #2172 Location: From Holliday take FM 368 South about 8 miles City: Holliday Marker Erected: 1973 Marker Text: In 1901, after failing to locate suitable land in Oklahoma, the American Tribune New Colony Company of Indianapolis acquired over 59,000 acres in this area for an immigration project. A post office was established in March 1902, and by grand opening, May 20, 1902, Geraldine had been surveyed, 2 water wells drilled, 75 buildings erected, and 125 farm families settled. A severe drought and lack of ground water caused all but 20 families to leave by Jan. 1903. In 1905 County Court sold the tract to former owner Luke F. Wilson, and Geraldine was vacated. (1973) CAPTAIN JOHN HOLLIDAY Marker #722 Location: From Holliday, take US 82 north about 1 mile. City: Holliday Marker Erected: 1973 Marker Text: (Dec. 8, 1811 - Aug. 19, 1842) Born Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; came to Texas about 1835, joined Texian Army, and was one of 24 survivors of the Goliad Massacre, March 27, 1836. Joined Texian-Santa Fe Expedition, and en route to New Mexico, Aug. 4, 1841, carved his name on a tree in this vicinity. After reaching Santa Fe, the party was arrested and marched to Perote Prison near Mexico City. In Aug. 1842, Holliday was released, but he died of yellow fever aboard ship two days from Galveston, and was buried at sea. Nearby Holliday Creek and the town of Holliday were named for the carving on the tree. (1973) SHERIFF E. HARRISON IKARD Marker #4672 Location: West side of Courthouse lawn, Highway 79, Center Street City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1925 Marker Text: This stone is erected to the memory of Sheriff E. Harrison Ikard by the Commissioner's Court, American Legion and local friends in recognition of a man who holding sacred a public trust answered duties call; fearless unto death, September 22, 1925. CAMP STONEWALL JACKSON Marker #679 Location: Entrance to Park, 2 mi. SE on FM 368 City: Holliday Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: 106 acres of land bought 1898 by United Confederate Veterans of Archer County for reunion grounds. Meetings lasting 3 days were held annually until 1935. Approximately 500 people attended each year. Activities included ball games, dancing, visiting, contests, shows and rodeos. Erected by the Archer County Historical Survey Committee. (1967) JESSE JAMES HIDEOUT Marker #44 Location: Courthouse lawn, Highway 79, Center Street, Archer City. City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1972 Marker Text: Jesse James, celebrated 1860s-1882 Missouri outlaw, used to visit in Archer City in house built by Stone Land and Cattle Company for its manager, Allen H. Parmer (1848-1927), his Confederate comrade of the Civil War and husband of his sister Susan (1849-89). With Frank James, his brother and aide, the outlaw chief hid at the Parmers' when hunted for train and bank robberies or on other occasions. Jesse James was killed in 1882; Frank and his wife continued to visit at Parmer's house, which was later moved from original site. Parmer brought up a family of respected, upright citizens. Erected by Archer County Historical Survey Committee. House is shown only by appointment, 1972. BATTLE OF THE LITTLE WICHITA Marker #334 Location: From Archer City, take FM 25 North about 2 miles to Roadside Park City: Archer City Marker Erected: 1974 Marker Text: In reaction to an Indian attack on a mail stage, Capt. Curwen B. McLellan set out on July 6, 1870, from Fort Richardson with 56 men of the 6th Cavalry. On July 12, McLellan's command encountered a war party of 250 Kiowas led by "Kicking Bird" near the north fork of the Little Wichita (6 miles NW). After a brief skirmish, McLellan ordered his troops into retreat, fighting a defensive battle across the middle and south forks of the Little Wichita. The Indians gave up the chase on the 13th. Corporal John Given and Private George Blume were killed; 13 Medals of Honor were awarded for heroism. (1974) MARCY TRAIL Marker #3207 Location: From Windthorst, take U.S.281 south about 4.5 miles. City: Windthorst Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Mapped 1849 by U.S. Army Capt. Randolph B. Marcy. Used for California gold rush; export of buffalo hides; West Texas settlers; cattle drives; 1859 Indian exodus from Texas. Route connected Texas Ranger frontier posts. Wagon ruts, water stops visible 3 miles to west. Erected by the Archer County Historical Survey Committee, 1967. J.H. MEURER HOME Marker #2677 Location: West side of US 281 City: Scotland Marker Erected: 1982 Marker Text: German native John H. Meurer (b. 1850) settled his family in this area about 1900 when he became a land agent for H. J. Scott of the Clark and Plumb Company. In selling over 60,000 acres of land, Meurer helped to establish the towns of Windthorst (6 mi. S) and Scotland (named for H. J. Scott), both primarily German Catholic settlements. Meurer had this one-and-a-half story home built in 1911. The 11-room house with wraparound porch remained in the Meurer family until 1941 when Saint Boniface Catholic Church purchased it to serve as a residence for parish priests. (1982) ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH Marker #4465 Location: Just off US 281 on St. Mary's Street City: Windthorst Marker Erected: 1974 Marker Text: Obtaining 75,000 acres of Archer County land for a farm colony in 1891, German- American Catholics planted cross here and laid off Windthorst around a 20-acre site for church, school, and rectory. Ernest Hoff built town's first structure, a home. There on Jan. 1, 1892, Father Joseph F. Reisdorf celebrated the first Mass in Windthorst, before 10 parishioners. The first church was dedicated in 1893, second in 1904. The present one, third for the parish, was completed in 1925. Two members of parish have become priests. St. Mary's Church continues to be the center of community life. (1974) THE STONE HOUSES Marker #5432 Location: From Windthorst, take US 281 5 miles south, then 5 miles south on Highway 16 City: Windthorst Marker Erected: 1970 Marker Text: Named for shapes resembling teepees; an Indian ceremonial ground, yielding war paint. In famed "Battle of Stone Houses," Nov. 10, 1837, Lt. A. Van Benthousen and 18 Rangers (hunting stolen horses) were attacked 1.5 miles west of here by 150 Keechis. Ten Rangers and 50 Indians died in 3-hour battle. Indians fired the grass. Rangers lost their horses but escaped through a ravine and walked back to settlements. In 1874, area's first permanent home was built near the stone houses (and 5 mi. W of here) by English-born Dr. R. O. Prideaux (1844-1930), who helped organize this county. Erected by Archer County Historical Survey Committee, 1970. WEST FORK SCHOOL Marker #12641 Location: 9 mi S of Windthorst on SH 16 at Prideaux Rd City: Windthorst Marker Erected: 2002 Marker Text: Begun in the early 1880s as the Baggett School, taught by landowner Silas Baggett, the West Fork School served students in this rural region for more than 60 years. In order to remain in the center of a dispersed agricultural community, the two-room school building was moved twice: once in 1886, when it was renamed New Hope and again in the 1920s to this site, where it was called West Fork. by 1944, enrollment had declined to six children, and the school was closed. Students were reassigned to school in Antelope. The building was relocated to Archer City, where it served as a residence until it burned some years later.