COMANCHE 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 ******************************************************************************** COMANCHE COUNTY HISTORICAL MARKERS The Texas Historical Commission http://www.thc.state.tx.us/index.html AMITY CEMETERY Marker # 151 Location: 17 miles northwest on SH 36, then c. 6 miles west to cemetery City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1978 Marker Text: When 14-year-old Charles Farley died in Feb. 1878, his parents buried him near their farmhouse, as this frontier locality had no cemetery at the time. Three months later Fannie Nichols (1875-78) died and was buried nearby. The Farleys then donated an acre of land as a community graveyard. The neighbors built an adjacent brush arbor for funerals and general gatherings. In the summer of 1878, Baptists organized a church, naming it Amity (friendship). Before erecting their own buildings, Baptists and Methodists held services in the brush arbor or at Amity School (1 mi. NW). William H. Lindley (1840-1913) bought land south of the Farley Farm in 1885. When new surveys placed the cemetery on his land, Lindley deeded the burial ground to the public. Later his son-in-law, George Brown, gave an additional acre to be used if needed. A large tabernacle with permanent fixtures replaced the brush arbor and was used for funerals until 1938 or 1939, when it was severely damaged by a storm. Free-will donations have maintained the cemetery since 1951. A "First Sunday in June Singing" which Amity Baptist Church originated in 1897 now serves as an annual memorial day and homecoming. By 1978 Amity Cemetery has nearly 400 graves. (1978) FRANCES MARIE SPARKS BROWN Marker # 2045 Location: SH 6 City: De Leon Marker Erected: 1993 Marker Text: (October 17, 1849 - January 1, 1934) Frances Marie Sparks, a native of North Carolina and daughter of Daniel and Kezziah Sparks, married Thomas Brown in 1865. They lived in Grayson County, Texas, before moving to a 410-acre farm near here about 1876. During the 1880s and 1890s Frances served as a midwife and lay doctor for families in the area. Known as "Aunt Fanny" she often rode 6-8 miles by horseback at night to deliver a baby. Despite her husband's death in 1912 Frances skillfully managed her farm and reared 12 children while continuing to nurse many of her neighbors back to health. (1993) CYRUS CAMPBELL Marker # 1139 Location: De Leon City Cemetery, Weatherford and Reynosa Streets City: De Leon Marker Erected: 1981 Marker Text: (October 11, 1810 - September 12, 1883) A blacksmith by trade, Cyrus Campbell migrated to Texas in 1828. He performed a number of jobs for the Republic of Texas, including the making of leg irons for Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna after his capture at San Jacinto in 1836. Married twice, Campbell moved to De Leon in 1883 and was active in the Methodist Church. According to tradition, he chose the site for the De Leon Cemetery. His was the first grave here. Recorded - 1981 CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF COMANCHE Marker # 12520 Location: 400 N. Austin Street City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1997 Marker Text: In 1855, Dr. G. W. Montgomery came to Comanche from Mississippi. He built a log cabin near his home, holding religious services there. In the late 1860s and 1870s the building was used for both a church and a school. It is believed that most members of this church transferred their membership to the Central Christian Church of Comanche after Dr. Montgomery's death. Organized in 1894 by a visiting evangelist and 31 charter members, the Central Christian Church of Comanche shared services with the Presbyterians. The Christian church's first pastor was Addison Clark, later president of Texas Christian University. In 1896, the congregation purchased a badly damaged Baptist church building for $475. By 1904 the church had moved into a new building. Several beloved pastors have served the congregation, including ministerial students. When the church was without a pastor, members served as lay ministers. Church women, always active, helped to pay all financial debts on both church buildings, organized maintenance projects, and founded Christian women's' associations. The members of the Central Christian Church of Comanche continue a tradition of active worship and service to the community. (1997) THE COMANCHE CHIEF Marker # 12519 Location: 203 W. Grand City: Comanche Marker Erected: 2000 Marker Text: Army engineers laid out a military road in this area in 1850. By 1855 thirty to forty families had settled in the vicinity. Comanche County was created in 1856, and Comanche became the second county seat in 1859. Its citizens, who entertained dreams of greatness for their town, envisioned a newspaper. Geraldo Alonzo Beeman, an experienced newspaperman, obtained an idle printing press and became the first editor of "The Comanche Chief." Its first issue published on August 21, 1873, the "Chief's" main goals were to draw more settlers to the area and to lobby for the protection and improvement of the lives of Comanche residents. The paper was instrumental in securing a Texas Ranger force for the area and in promoting legislation for placing public school lands on the market. By 1873, after the last of the Comanche tribe in the area was relegated to a reservation in Oklahoma, the town began to grow. "The Comanche Chief" was influential in social and political life, from chronicling the daily events of the neighborhood to lobbying for proper representation in the state legislature. It found its way to other regions of the country, advertising the advantages of the Comanche area and attracting new settlers. Sixteen-year-old Robert Thomas Hill (1858-1941), later called the Father of Texas Geology, began working at the "Chief" with his brother Joe in 1874. The Hills became co- editors of the paper and operated it together until Robert went to Cornell University in 1882. Other newspapers were organized and discontinued over the decades, but "The Comanche Chief" thrived; it was sold to the Wilkerson family in 1925. One hundred and forty-two years old at the dawn of the 21st century, "The Comanche Chief" is recognized as the oldest business in Comanche County. (2000) COMANCHE COUNTY Marker # 989 Location: 0.25 mile west of town on US 377/67 City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1936 Marker Text: First settled in 1854 by five families, the county, created and organized 1856, was named for Comanche Indians, Lords of Texas frontier, who were losing hunting grounds to settlers. First county seat was Cora. Comanche has been county seat since July 18, 1859. Indians harassed settlers, stealing cattle and horses, and keeping farmers out of fields. Food from neighboring Bell County kept people here from starvation in 1862. By 1879 a stage line crossed county; the Texas Central Railroad came through in 1880; Fort Worth & Rio Grande Railroad in 1890. An oil boom occurred in 1918-1920. Agriculture has long been major industry. (1967) 1936 Text: Created January 25, 1856; Organized May 17, 1856; Named for the Comanche Indians, nomads of the Plains; successful hunters, superb horsemen, and courageous warriors; the terror of Texas frontier settlers, who dispossessed them of their hunting grounds. County Seat Troy (changed to Cora), 1856; Comanche, since July 18, 1859 COMANCHE COUNTY COURTHOUSE ID # 95 City: Comanche Description: 3-story building with basement was constructed of native stone quarried about 6 miles west of Comanche. Carved eagles rest above the four entrances to the building. FIRST COMANCHE COUNTY COURTHOUSE Marker # 1722 Location: Comanche Courthouse Square City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1965 Marker Text: A dwelling before county organization, 1856. Served as courthouse in town of Cora until 1859, when Comanche became the county seat; then reverted to use as a residence. Moved here and restored by Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Burks. THE COMANCHE NATIONAL BANK Marker # 12506 Location: 100 E. Central City: Comanche Marker Erected: 2001 Marker Text: In service to the citizens of Comanche for more than 100 years, the Comanche National Bank was organized in December 1889 with beginning capital of $50,000. Primary organizer was John B. Chilton, who met with other local businessmen in his second-floor downtown living quarters to establish the bank and elect a board of directors. The first elected officers were J. B. Chilton, president; T. J. Holmsley, vice president; W. B. Cunningham, cashier; and R. V. Neely, assistant cashier. Opened to the public in March 1890, the Comanche National Bank saw immediate success, as Comanche was poised for economic growth by the early 1890s. The railroad arrived in 1891, the same year in which the county constructed a new courthouse. Also in 1891, the bank directors purchased the lot on the southwest corner of the courthouse square and constructed a building that served the bank's operations until 1969. T. J. Holmsley followed J. B. Chilton as bank president from 1891 until 1901; Chilton then served for the next 32 years, until his death in 1933. Strong leadership throughout the bank's history has helped the financial institution weather economic downturns and prosper during periods of growth. Located at this site since 1987, Comanche National Bank continues to serve the community as a significant part of Comanche's business history. (2001) COMMUNITY OF COMYN-THENEY Marker # 1007 Location: FM 1496, in front of Post Office City: Comyn Marker Erected: 1969 Marker Text: During the rapid settlement of this area following the removal of the Indian threat, about 1875, a rural community developed here. Besides a few homes and a school, it had a trading post-store, operated by W. F. Matheney. His name, shortened to "Theney" for business purposes also came to designate the town. Among the pioneer families was that of B. F. Barnes, at nearby Jones Crossing, 1876. His great-grandson Ben Barnes, Lt. Gov. of Texas, was reared in Comyn- Theney. During 1881 the Texas Central Railroad was built through here and a depot established. M. T. Comyn, a railroad official, succeeded in having the town and depot named for him, but the school remained Theney. Soon the settlement could boast several general stores, a post office, drug store, blacksmith shop, lumber yard, cotton gin, cafe, barber shop, and a hall for the Woodmen of the World. In 1918, when Humble Pipeline Company began building a tank farm here to store oil from new West Texas fields, a tent city of several hundred sprang up. But when construction ceased in 1919, the townspeople moved away. Theney Consolidated School, formed in 1924, soon built a new plant and became an outstanding high school. Declining attendance caused it to close, 1952. (1969) CORA Marker # 1057 Location: on SH 36 City: Gustine Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Founded 1854, as Troy. Later renamed in honor of a Miss Beeman of Bell County. In 1856 organization of Comanche County--then extending farther south and east than today's boundaries--Cora became county seat. A log cabin residence in Cora was the first Comanche County courthouse, serving until the county seat was relocated in 1859 in new town of Comanche. That first courthouse and all the other buildings are gone from site of Old Cora. Only a cemetery--the oldest in Comanche County--remains. Thus Cora is an example of the many early, important towns no longer existent in Texas. In the 254 counties of Texas, there have been 126 cases of re-designation of county seats. (Two counties have had five county seats each.) Boundary changes (as in Comanche County), shifts in travel routes (as when railroads were built), changes from agrarian to industrial economy have caused counties to move their county seats to new locations. Old courthouses have found later usefulness as ranch headquarters, municipal buildings, or private homes. The first log cabin courthouse of Comanche County reverted to use as a residence, but later was restored and used--as are many former courthouses--as part of a museum. (1967) OLD CORN TRAIL Marker # 3712 Location: From Comanche, go west about 0.25 mile on US 67/377 City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Surveyed in 1850 by Army engineers, this was the first wagon road to penetrate this area. Point of origin was San Antonio, site of U.S. Army District Headquarters after annexation of Texas in 1846. This segment of road extended from Fort Gates (in Coryell County) to Fort Griffin (Shackelford County) and Fort Belknap (Young County). Although used for communications and troop movements, most common traffic was in supplies--especially feed for Army horses and mules. Hence the name "Corn Trail." Presence of the road and its traffic from fort to fort encouraged settlement. In 1851 John A. and J. M. McGuire moved to a site near here on Indian Creek. James H. Neel settled on Resley's Creek in 1852; in 1854 James Mercer and Capt. Frank Collier pitched tents on Mercer Creek, soon to be joined by their families and the Holmsleys and Tuggles. Collier put up first log house; Holmsley plowed first furrow. By Christmas of 1855 there were enough citizens here to petition for a county, and Comanche County was created by the Texas Legislature Jan. 25, 1856. The Corn Trail was a main civilian thoroughfare, and continued to serve its original purpose as a route for frontier troops and supplies. (1967) COX CEMETERY Marker # 1100 Location: From Sidney, take FM 589 NE about 2 miles City: Sidney vicinity Marker Erected: 1977 Marker Text: William Driscol Cox (1839-97) and his wife Amanda (Shugart) moved with their family from Tennessee to Texas in 1872. Cox taught in Robertson County, then (1876) bought and moved to a 300-acre ranch at this site. He taught the first school in Sidney and served 1882-84 as Sheriff of Comanche County. This cemetery was opened at the death of infant Mary Jane Cox (1875-76), sixth child of the family. Amanda (Mrs. W. D.) Cox was buried here in 1882. In 1886, Cox donated the 1-acre family burial ground to the Methodist Mission in nearby Bibb, as a public cemetery. In 1895 he sold most of his land to a nephew, James Sampson Cox (1866-1941), who later was one of the area's largest landowners. Although Bibb Mission closed in 1908, this facility continued in public use. In 1934, J. S. Cox bought and added three-fourths of an acre to the original ground. Under leadership of O. S. Cox (1895-1966), a grand-nephew of W. D. Cox, the fence and arched gate were installed in 1959. Reunion associations of the Hurt and Steele Families, connected by marriages to the Coxes, have helped maintain the cemetery. The Cox Cemetery Association was organized in 1968 with L. D. Cox, grandson of J. S. Cox, as the first president. (1977) CUNNINGHAM FAMILY REUNION Marker # 1133 Location: From Comanche, take SH 16 about 9 miles south (marker is on west side of SH 16 inside iron gate in private picnic area). City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1989 Marker Text: James (1816-1894) and Susannah (1817-1899) Cunningham came to the Republic of Texas in 1839-40 and settled in this area in 1855. An influential family in the county, the Cunninghams were active in military defense against hostile Indians. In 1889, James, Susannah, and their 12 children gathered for their first family reunion. Additional reunions were held sporadically until 1901, when they became an annual event. Acreage adjoining the family property was purchased to insure continuation of the historical gatherings, which take place for two days each summer. (1989) CAPTAIN JAMES CUNNINGHAM HOME Marker # 719 Location: 12 miles south of SH 16 to Mt. Creek Ranch on east side of road (marker is on chimney) City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1962 Marker Text: 1855. Lumber hauled from Waco by ox wagon. Local stone. Place of county's first wedding. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 JAMES CUNNINGHAM Marker # 2718 Location: From Comanche, take SH 16 south about 10 miles, then go east on FM 1416 about 1/2 mile to Newburg Cemetery City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Born in Alabama, settled in Comanche County, 1855. Commander of Texas Ranger Company stationed in Comanche County, 1858. Helped bring law and order to county--drove out renegades and wild Indians. Cunningham commanded men from Comanche County in Dove Creek Battle, Jan. 8, 1864 (500 white men against 1,000 Indians). His sons became sheriffs in Comanche, Mills and Taylor counties. Recorded - 1967 DE LEON PEANUT COMPANY Marker # 1187 Location: 303 N. Texas Street City: De Leon Marker Erected: 1994 Marker Text: Cotton was the major cash crop for farmers in Comanche County until the early 20th Century. The combined effects of disastrous weather conditions in 1908- 09, a national economic downturn, and a major infestation of the Mexican boll weevil in 1914 caused many Comanche County farmers to abandon their decades- long reliance on cotton and turn to the more lucrative prospect of peanut farming. Because shipping peanuts to Fort Worth for processing reduced local farmers' profits, N. T. Haskins organized the De Leon Peanut Company in 1912. Its first board of directors included R. W. Higginbotham, W. H. Williams, B. T. Higginbotham, Jr., J. B. Wilson, A. E. Hampton, and W. E. Lowe. By 1914, peanuts were the leading cash crop in the county, and the company enlarged its operations to meet growing demand. A six-story main building was completed in 1917; soon the plant was processing up to ten railroad carloads of peanuts per day. The business survived an economic crisis in the 1920s and remained a strong force in the local community, which has been called "The Peanut Capital of the World." Acquired by a national company in 1967, the De Leon Peanut Company has played a vital role in Comanche County history. (1994) EVERGREEN CEMETERY Marker # 12521 Location: 1.5 miles east of Gustine on CR 360 City: Gustine vicinity Marker Erected: 1999 Marker Text: The community of Evergreen began to take shape in the late 1860s. A small strip of land was donated for a community cemetery in 1885 when Mrs. W. F. Hampton was the first recorded person to be interred on this site. A post office was established in 1888 with Samuel Gustine as postmaster, and the town name was officially changed to Gustine. The community grew steadily. Those interred here include prominent members of early Evergreen and surrounding communities such as the Boyd family, landowners, farmers and schoolteachers who operated a cotton gin and blacksmith shop. The Bolton family farmed, hauled freight and mail and operated a barber ship for generations. The Couch and Johnston families hailed from Georgia and Mississippi and were farmers and landowners. The Pettit family of Alabama were bankers, farmers and cattlemen. A road between the Comanche and Gentry Mill communities opened in 1895; Gustine businesses moved to be closer to the main path, but the cemetery remained 3/4 mile to the north. A land donation in 1897 and a purchase of additional acreage in 1918 allowed the cemetery to expand to meet the road. In 1999 there were about 630 burials on 3.284 acres in Evergreen Cemetery. These burials included two Confederate army veterans as well as veterans of World War I and World War II. Though all that remained of the old Evergreen community was a hand-dug well on private property south of the cemetery, the burial ground continued to serve the nearby communities of Pettit, Gustine and Energy. (1999) FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Marker # 1822 Location: 207 N. Pearl Street City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Organized 1874. Comanche County's oldest Presbyterian church. Original services in courthouse. First pastor was Rev. W. A. Smith. Suppers, teas, bake sales and quilting bees raised funds for construction of first edifice in 1880. Present church built, 1907. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 FLEMING OAK Marker # 1911 Location: Courthouse Square City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1965 Marker Text: Camped here in 1854 with his father, young Martin V. Fleming hid behind this tree and saved himself when hostile Indians rode through the grove. Years later paving contractors started to cut the oak, but were stopped by "Uncle Mart" with his gun. (1965) FORMER COMANCHE COUNTY COURTHOUSE ID # 92 City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1965 Description: Hand-hewn log construction 12'-10" x 12'-7" and walls 7'-0" tall. The building had a board "side room" and one stone chimney. The building served as the courthouse for approximately two years. 1985: Moved to town square in Comanche and used as museum. - ISTEA Grant - building of an arbor, cement picnic tables, and wheelchair passages to Old Cora; construct and landscape sidewalk separating the square and surrounding highways and streets GEORGE WASHINGTON GENTRY Marker # 2166 Location: Oakwood Cemetery, corner of Cedar and Bryan Streets City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1980 Marker Text: (1808 - 1883) A member of Stephen F. Austin's Colony, George Washington Gentry came to Texas in 1835 with his father and brother. Settling in what is now Washington County, he worked as a farmer and surveyor. He participated in the Texas Revolution, several Indian skirmishes, and the defense of San Antonio during the 1842 invasions of Rafael Vasquez and Adrian Woll. He later moved to Comanche County, where he was a farmer and rancher. Recorded - 1980 SITE OF OLD GILL FARM Marker # 4849 Location: From Comanche, take SH 16 NE about 4 miles, then go east on county road about 4 miles, at Old Gill Farm and Family Cemetery, Copperas Creek Park on Proctor Lake City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: Settled 1874 by W. A. Gill (1843-1889), son of W. S. Gill, hero of Battle of San Jacinto. W. A. fought in Civil War and was a Captain in the Texas Rangers. His sons E. V. and Fleet lived here for many years. Remains in this family plot were moved in 1964 to Buffalo Cemetery (1 mile N). (1968) M.R. (BOSS) GREENE Marker # 3162 Location: Oakwood Cemetery, Cedar and Bryan Streets City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: (Oct. 14, 1843 - May 12, 1877) Deputy U.S. Marshal: pursued Dee and James Bailey for passing counterfeit quarters in Comanche. After 10 mile chase, he captured and disarmed brothers. Catching Greene off guard (because of an unruly horse), one prisoner took Greene's rifle and shot him. He returned fire with hand gun but was fatally wounded in exchange. Prisoners escaped only to be recaptured and hanged on live oak tree here in cemetery where Greene is buried. Recorded - 1968 GUSTINE Marker # 6254 Location: SH 36 and Main Street City: Gustine Marker Erected: 1992 Marker Text: Settlers began arriving in this area of Comanche County in the 1870s. Among the pioneers were members of the Blankenship family, who inherited land granted to brothers Christopher and A. K. Clark for Republic of Texas military service. The first settlement, located about three-fourths of a mile northeast of this site, was named Evergreen. It included homes, a store, blacksmith shop, cotton gin, and school. In the 1880s, when a new road opened between Comanche and Hamilton, the citizens of Evergreen moved their town to this site to be on the route of the new road. A U.S. post office opened in January 1888, and was named for postmaster Samuel Gustine. By the early 20th century, the town of Gustine boasted homes, churches, and businesses, including two cotton gins, three poultry companies, a grist mill, retail stores, telephone and electric utilities, a newspaper, and a bank. The Cotton Belt Railway built a line through the area in 1910, causing an economic boom until it was discontinued in the 1930s. State Highway 36 was built on the railroad right-of-way, however, maintaining the town's most important transportation route. (1992) HAASE COMMUNITY Marker # 2405 Location: From Comanche, take US 67/377 east about 6 miles City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1970 Marker Text: Began as "Cordwood Junction," a siding on the Fort Worth & Rio Grande Railroad. Flatcars loaded wood here to be shipped over a wide area. As demand for the fuel increased, the railroad built a station house at site. It was named in 1892 for O. H. Hasse, thought to have been the local railway agent, 1890s. Cotton and cattle brought more business to town. A cotton gin, stock pens, and lumber yard were built. With the advent of automobiles, migration to urban centers, and highways, however, Hasse began to dwindle. Today only a few buildings remain. (1970) HANGING OAK Marker # 2359 Location: Comanche County Museum, W. city limits, on Moorman Road, .2 mile west of intersection with Hilcrest City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Oak used 1874 by mob to hang Joe Hardin, Tom and Bud Dixon, kinsmen of John Wesley Hardin in reprisal for murder of Deputy Chas. Webb. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 JOHN WESLEY HARDIN Marker # 2820 Location: Comanche County Museum, located west of city limits, on Moorman Road, 2 miles west of intersection with Hilcrest City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1966 Marker Text: Champion gunfighter in personal combat, Hardin was brought to justice for first time for murder of Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb here in Comanche in 1874. Served 15 years in prison. On release, opened law office in El Paso, 1894. Killed at age of 42 when shot in back, 1895. (1966) ROBERT THOMAS HILL Marker # 4302 Location: SW corner of Courthouse Square City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1995 Marker Text: Robert Thomas Hill began life on August 11, 1858, in the aristocratic comforts of his parents' Nashville, Tennessee, home. His family, however, suffered tragic losses during the Civil War and by 1864 young Robert was an orphan living in his grandmother's Nashville home. He left Nashville in 1874 for Comanche County, Texas, to join his brother, Joe, as an employee of a local newspaper known as the "Comanche Chief." Hill's interest in the area's geology inspired him in 1882 to enter Cornell University where he graduated with honors in geology in 1887. In 1888 he became assistant professor of geology at the University of Texas. He participated in the State Geological Survey and identified and named the Balcones Escarpment. In 1891 Hill became president of the prestigious Cosmos Club, a society of the nation's most distinguished scientists. In the 1890s and early 1900s Hill studied the aquifers of Texas, New Mexico, and the Indian territory, and explored the geology of the trans- Pecos, Southwest U.S., West Indies, Mexico, and Central America. Hill's publications represent one of the most distinguished geological studies produced by one individual. He died on July 28, 1941. He was cremated and his ashes scattered over Round Mountain, a butte near Comanche. (1995) SITE OF INDIAN CREEK COMMUNITY Marker # 4816 Location: From Comanche, take SH 36 SE about 1.25 mile, then go east on county road about 2 miles, then north about 0.5 mile to Indian Creek Cemetery. City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: One of the first settlements in Comanche County; founded in 1851 by John A. McGuire. The first public building here was a stockade that enclosed several log cabins. Named "Double Pens" for its double walls, it was a storehouse for emergency supplies of grain, water and other food to be used by the settlers when they took refuge there during Indian raids. When the men were away, the women and children slept at Double Pens. Church services were also held inside the walls and a school was organized there in 1876. The first teacher was R. W. Welborne. The Indian Creek Methodist Church was formed in 1880 with the Rev. H. B. Henry as pastor. Land for a building was given by J. M. (Mart) McGuire. The church was noted for its summer camp meetings, held yearly for two weeks after cultivation of the crops was finished. The campers, from a wide area, would bring chickens for eggs and meat and cows to supply milk. The church was also known for the large number of preachers it produced. In 1922 the present building was erected. Services were discontinued in 1958. The first burial in the cemetery was made in 1880. The land, then property of R. C. Coker, was given to the church by later owner J. H. Watson in 1894. (1968) INDIAN RAID IN COMANCHE Marker # 2635 Location: Courthouse Square City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1969 Marker Text: One of boldest depredations in Texas history, made in May 1861, during the "Bright Moon." A braying mule wakened town after nearly all horses were stolen. Citizens spent rest of night molding bullets. Pursuit began at dawn, under command of Capt. James Cunningham, assisted by 17 boys and men, using hounds. Posse finally caught Indians on Brown's Creek (about 36 mi. SW), killing 19 in close fighting. White men's only casualty was a slight wound given to Capt. Cunningham. Relentless pursuit of Indian raiders was key to a town's survival on the frontier. (1969) MARY ISHAM Marker # 6015 Location: 0.5 mile south of Comanche on FM 590, then 0.5 mile south (inside a fenced ranch) City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1966 Marker Text: Mary Daughter of Ch & Mary Isham 1853-1855 First white child buried in Comanche County JONES CROSSING Marker # 2845 Location: 6 miles SE of De Leon on county road City: De Leon vicinity Marker Erected: 1971 Marker Text: Named for "Sut" (Sutton) Jones, 1850s pioneer who lived near the ford and used his horses to aid freighters hauling heavy loads. This was on trail from Waco to scattered ranches in present Abilene-Albany area. Ford was notorious for 1870s use by horse thieves. Nearby settlers were warned to be deaf to sounds of horses "escaping" across the ford. A few robbed men objected, however, and went after stolen animals. Some of the thieves were later hanged. First spanned by a bridge in 1899, the ford is now included in Proctor Reservoir acreage. (1971) LAMKIN Marker # 3020 Location: at south city limits on SH 36 City: Lamkin Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Originally established 1870, one-half mile north on bands of the Leon River. Named for George Lamkin, donor of land for townsite. Business firms included general store, blacksmith shop, gin, post office and drugstore. Despite several floods and fires, pioneer merchants gamely rebuilt. Only after the flood of 1908 destroyed old Lamkin was town moved to present site. Two years later with the coming of the Cotton Belt Railroad, Lamkin developed into a shipping center for farmers and ranchers. By 1920, the town had 2 gins, a hotel, bank, produce house, lumberyard, blacksmith shop, 3 general stores, post office, 4 churches, telephone exchange and drugstore. Consolidated Public School had average attendance of over 200. Basketball team was county champion for 4 consecutive years. Annual attraction was horse and mule show. In 1922, fire destroyed a major portion of business firms. Lamkin rebuilt but failed after railroad discontinued, 1936. An often-related pioneer story was of 1869 Indian raid 2 miles east of here on Resley's Creek. The home of Mrs. Elizabeth Ewell was ransacked by 19 renegade Indians. The widow and her 2 sons were not at home but on their return were greeted by clouds of feathers from ripped mattresses. A posse drove the Indians away. (1967) McCRARY HOUSE Marker # 3283 Location: 802 S. Austin Street City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1989 Marker Text: James Madison McCrary (1845-1932) came to Comanche about 1870. With his father and brother he operated a mercantile on the town square and began the county's first cotton gin. He married Ella Griffith in 1872 and began construction of this house in 1876. Built of limestone quarried near Austin, the central-hall structure features segmental arches and gable-end chimneys. A recognized horticulturist, McCrary moved to a farm east of Comanche in 1910. He returned here to retire in 1926. The home was owned by McCrary descendants until 1987. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1989 ANDREW MILLER Marker # 6009 Location: From Hamilton, take SH 36 about 8 miles SW and go NE on County Road about 1/2 mile, at Gentry's Mill Cemetery City: Hamilton vicinity Marker Erected: 1978 Marker Text: (1823-1900) A frontier settler from Monroe County, Virginia, Andrew Miller migrated to Texas while still a young man. In 1856 he settled in Comanche County near the Hamilton County line. He married Hannah Margaret Shockley in 1861. They had seven children. Miller served with the 2nd Frontier Ranger Group, defending nearby pioneer settlements against Comanche Indian raids. A founder of the First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, Miller also donated land for Warren's Creek Church in Comanche County and for a church, school, and cemetery at Gentry's Mill. (1978) MOLLIE E. MOORE Marker # 3433 Location: US 67 and 377, (Proctor Grocery Store) City: Proctor Marker Erected: 1965 Marker Text: (1844-1909) During the Civil War, wrote poems Texans memorized, cut out of newspapers, sent their boys on the battlefront: about the deaths of heroes, Texans' units, Confederate victories and such topics. She also did social work and nursing at Camp Ford, Tyler. She was a lively, spirited girl who went horseback riding with a pistol strapped to her side. After war, became nationally known poet, novelist, and columnist. Married a newspaper editor. Led New Orleans society 20 years. Near this marker site, at Old Mooresville (now Proctor) often visited her brother's family. (1965) MOUNT PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH Marker # 3496 Location: From Comanche, take FM 2247 north about 2.5 miles to church (east side of road). City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1969 Marker Text: Organized under a brush arbor, with 21 charter members, Oct. 16, 1892. First pastor, F. M. Herring, and E. M. Moore, Jesse Cunningham and C. C. McCurdy composed the presbytery. Will Dewitt gave land, Nov. 26, 1892, on which the first building was dedicated, May 1893. Tabernacle was built in 1906 and present church, 1913. The charter members were The Revs. and Mmes. Frank Herring and Jim Fagan; Messrs. and Mmes. Will Dewitt, Jake Hodges, John Cameron, Dave Coker, Alfred Loftis and J. A. Payne; also Mrs. E. B. Farmer, Beckie Leech, Green West, Cordelia McNutt, Z. K. Smith. (1969) NEWBURG CEMETERY Marker # 3590 Location: From Comanche, take SH 16 S about 10 miles, then go about 0.4 mile E on FM 1476 City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1994 Marker Text: Pioneer settlers of this area of Comanche County arrived in the mid-1850s and established a town named for the nearby South Leon River. P.W. Brewer set aside land for a cemetery and church in 1872. Although earlier unmarked burials exist here, the oldest documented grave is that of Rosie E. McCurdy, who died in 1875. After the town name was changed to Newburg in the 1880s, the cemetery also was renamed. Local pioneers and veterans of conflicts dating back to the Mexican War are buried here. A cemetery association maintains the historic graveyard. (1994) NINEVEH CEMETERY Marker # 12330 Location: 6 miles west of De Leon on FM 587 to CR 170 City: De Leon vicinity Marker Erected: 2000 Marker Text: Settlement in the community that became known as Nineveh began as some southerners moved west after the close of the Civil War. In 1886, Hezekiah Bellamy gave two acres for a school and cemetery around this site. A young schoolmaster who was a graduate of Harvard University in Massachusetts named the school and cemetery for Nineveh in ancient Assyria. The first person to be interred here was Elizabeth McNeely (1804-1890). Her granddaughter, Minnie McNeely Dukes (1885-1972), was a teacher and community leader at Ninevah, and the Dukes family has maintained the historic graveyard. The area around the cemetery gradually became known as Old Nineveh. There are about 24 graves in the cemetery, including those of members of several pioneer Comanche County families. (2000) OAKLAND CEMETERY Marker # 12522 Location: 10.3 miles west of De Leon on FM 587, then 2.5 miles north on CR 170 City: De Leon vicinity Marker Erected: 1999 Marker Text: Settlement of Oakland community, which was named for the abundant live oak trees in the area, began in the early 1860s. H. S. Anglin and Sarah Frances Weaver were married in 1872, and they moved to Oakland in 1875. Brother Anglin, as H. S. was known, was a circuit riding Methodist minister who built the church in Oakland while also serving nine churches in nearby communities. The first burial on this site took place in May 1891 upon the death of Willey N. Burleson. Three months later H. S. and Sarah Anglin deeded the two acres on which the church and burial ground were located to church trustees to serve Oakland and the surrounding communities of Sipe Springs, Duster, Beattie and Gorman. In 1907 the Anglins conveyed two more acres of land to cemetery trustees D. N. Burleson, L. C. Echols and T. J. Munn and their successors. Sarah Weaver Anglin died in 1928 and H. S. Anglin died in 1931; both are interred in the Oakland Cemetery. Others buried here include members of the Anglin, Brooks, Couch, Dennis, Dukes, Echols, Foote, Hadaway, Hamlin, Hasley, Little, Munn, Poyner, Sexton, Sutton and Underwood families. The Oakland Cemetery Association was organized in 1976. By 1998 the burial ground occupied five acres. The graves include those of more than 40 veterans of World War I and World War II. The cemetery continues to serve Oakland and the surrounding communities and remains a record of the pioneers of Comanche County. (1999) OAKWOOD CEMETERY Marker # 3660 Location: Corner of Bryan and Cedar Streets City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1994 Marker Text: Reconfiguration of Comanche County by the state in 1858 led to a relocation of its county seat. In 1859 local land developer Captain John Duncan donated 200 acres here for a townsite to served as Comanche County seat. Duncan's deed specified that sufficient portions of the donated acreage be set aside for a graveyard, churches, and schools. A cemetery consisting of about 5.5 acres was established and named Oakwood for the impressive oak trees which graced the site. The earliest marked grave is that of one-year-old John Neely, who died in January 1861. Since its establishment the cemetery has been the property of the City of Comanche and has served as a community graveyard. Parcels of land originally owned by John Duncan and conveyed to William and Sue (Shortridge) Martin in 1895 were added to the interments of numerous veterans of conflicts ranging from the Republic of Texas era to the present, including both Union and Confederate soldiers from the Civil War. Also buried here are pioneers of this area and their descendants, state and national politicians, local civic leaders, and members of various fraternal organizations. (1994) OLD CORA COURTHOUSE Marker # 3711 Location: Courthouse grounds, SW corner, SH 16 City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1986 Marker Text: Soon after the creation of Comanche County in 1856, the town of Cora (10 mi. SE) was platted to serve as the county seat. The courthouse in Cora, typical of many early Texas courthouses, was a 12' 7" x 12" 10", one-room, squared log structure. It served the county until the seat of government was moved to Comanche in 1859. The "Old Cora" Courthouse was incorporated into a house built about 1880 and has been moved several times over the years. It stands as a reminder of the now-extinct town of Cora and of early Texas courthouse architecture. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 WILLIAM H. PATE Marker # 5829 Location: From De Leon, go north on SH 16 about 6 miles, then 1 mile northeast on county road; at fork, go north about 2 miles to Victor Cemetery. City: De Leon vicinity Marker Erected: 1936 Marker Text: A San Jacinto veteran; Born in Georgia; Died August 29, 1879; His wife Jane Pate; Born March 10, 1827; Died March 18, 1906 PENDERGRASS CEMETERY Marker # 3977 Location: From Sidney, take FM 1689 south about 1 mile, then go east on county road about 1 mile. City: Sidney vicinity Marker Erected: 1975 Marker Text: Pioneer farmer and rancher William Pendergrass (1818-98) and his wife, Emaline (1819-1907), moved from Tennessee to Smith County, Texas, in 1849. They first came to Comanche County in 1859, then settled here permanently after a brief return to Smith County (1866-73). Some of the Pendergrasses' nine children also settled in this area. A leader in this frontier community, Pendergrass helped to establish several churches and a school, as well as this cemetery. The first interment here was in 1883, when Pendergrass offered a plot of his land for the burial of a stranger whose body was found nearby. Soon afterward, he moved graves of two of his grandchildren, Hilliard Pendergrass and Pearly Cook, to this site from a tract of land he had sold. In 1888 he deeded the one-acre cemetery to the community. Emaline Pendergrass donated another acre shortly after her husband's death in 1898. The 525 graves now (1975) here include those of Pendergrass, his wife, and many of their descendants. The Pendergrass Cemetery Association, formed as the result of a community beautification drive, fenced the site and erected gates in 1959. The well-maintained cemetery is still used for burials. (1975) PROCTOR Marker # 4126 Location: FM 1476 City: Proctor Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: One mile northeast of this well stood old Proctor, named for A. W. Proctor who gave land for first school. Town moved here in 1890 when construction halted on the Fort Worth and Rio Grande Railroad. Considered for county seat since rail freight was shipped here. In 20 years following coming of railroad, town developed into an important business center. It had a post office, newspaper, depot, hotel, cafe, livery stable, lumberyard, telephone system, 2 gins, 2 grocery stores, 2 barber shops, 2 drugstores, 2 doctors, 3 churches, 4 lodges and a high school. Community boasted of an outstanding baseball team and a brass band that played for school programs, picnics and other public gatherings. During this time town became a shipping center. Originally two wells were hand-dug in the center of Main Street. This one has been preserved as a landmark. The wells furnished water for drinking and fighting fires; water was drawn by hand and poured in 2 wooden troughs for stock; wagon trains coming through stopped to water their teams and replenish their supply. Today water is again playing an important part--Proctor Reservoir is bringing new life to this pioneer community. (1967) PROCTOR CEMETERY Marker # 4128 Location: From Proctor, go south on FM 1476 about 1/2 mile, then go left onto County Road about 2 miles. City: Proctor Marker Erected: 1988 Marker Text: The land on which this cemetery is located was once part of a farm owned by the pioneer Larkin Gyger family. The first person interred here was W.B. Long (1817-1875), a Methodist minister and neighbor of the Gyger family. As the small town of Proctor began to grow with the arrival of the railroad in the 1890s, this gradually became a community graveyard, fifty-seven of the graves are from the nineteenth century. Also buried here are nine veterans of the Civil War. A cemetery association, organized in 1940, maintains the historic burial ground. (1988) CHOCTAW ROBINSON TREE Marker # 838 Location: Comanche County Museum City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1975 Marker Text: The Rev. William Robinson (1809-98), pioneer Baptist missionary, was born in North Carolina and came to Texas in 1848. He organized and served as pastor to churches in Rusk, Johnson, Erath and Comanche counties. At the same time, he supported his large family by farming. He was called "Choctaw Bill" because a band of Choctaw Indians once complained about his long sermons. The Rev. Mr. Robinson often preached for hours beneath this tree, near a rough frontier town. While he spoke, he rested his gun in the fork of the tree. His grave is located in nearby Baggett Cemetery. (1975) L.B. RUSSELL HOME Marker # 2980 Location: 801 N. Elm City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Two original rooms built 1877 of rubble stone hauled to site by ox wagons. Purchased 1886 by Texas pioneers L. B. and Alice Beeman Russell, who added rooms as children grew older. Home is still occupied by descendants. Mr. Russell, who survived until 1940, was lawyer, judge, mayor, editor, historian, genealogist, linguist, poet, fiddler, Bible student and a Mason--in his late years known as "The Grand Old Philosopher of Comanche." Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967 ST. MATTHEWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH Marker # 4473 Location: 410 N. Austin Street City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1964 Marker Text: The earliest Episcopal worship services in the Comanche area were conducted in the late 1870s by Bishop Alexander C. Garrett of Dallas. In 1886, soon after the organization of the St. Matthews congregation, work began on this frame building. Located on land deeded by Sarah Jane Walcott, it is the oldest existing church structure in Comanche County and has been in continuous use since its completion in 1887. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964 [Text of original plate, 1964] St. Matthews Episcopal Church. County's oldest church building when built in 1887. Was so remote its Bishop's visits were by horseback. COMMUNITY OF SIDNEY Marker # 1012 Location: At intersection of FM 1689 and FM 589 City: Sidney Marker Erected: 1969 Marker Text: Began about 1870 when William Yarborough and J. A. Wright, early settlers, located on Jimmie's Creek. As a community developed, the settlers built a log schoolhouse near a spring, in 1877. W. D. Cox was the first teacher. The Methodist church was also founded in 1877 and a few years later the Baptist church and Church of Christ were started. All denominations took turns using the log schoolhouse for worship. In 1883 Tom Davis opened a store and soon J. C. Stapp bought an interest in it. In 1886 Stapp became the first Postmaster, naming the post office after his young son Sidney. Holstein dairy cattle, basis of a major industry, were brought here in the 1880s. Between 1890 and 1910 Sidney had several doctors' offices, drug stores, gins, a general store, barber shop, lodge hall, and telephone exchange. Reorganized in 1902, the school became an accredited high school. Around the turn of the century, the town shared in the national attention focused on nearby Round Mountain--first field laboratory of the remarkable Dr. Robert T. Hill (1858-1941), world-famous geologist. His studies vastly increased knowledge of the geology of North America and Texas, and after his death, he had his ashes scattered atop the mountain. (1969) SIPE SPRINGS CEMETERY Marker # 4714 Location: 1 mile west of Sipe Springs off FM 587 City: Sipe Springs vicinity Marker Erected: 1978 Marker Text: Pioneers settled this area about 1870, after finding water seeping from a spring. There was controversy from the beginning over the correct spelling of the name, which is pronounced "seep." The town soon grew into a milling and ginning center for this region. Upon the death of Pratt Scarlett in 1873, John C. Smith (1828-1907) gave five acres for a cemetery, but the title was not clear. A large stone carved with Scarlett's death date was buried at the foot of his grave. Several burial sites in the old part of the cemetery have plain sandstone markers. In 1890 the area residents built a tabernacle at the burial ground. Enlarged in 1951, it is still used for gatherings such as the annual homecoming in July. An oil boom came to Sipe Springs in the winter of 1918 and the village grew to almost 10,000. The town boasted an opera house and a professional baseball team. About that time Nels and Sarah Crain acquired a clear title to the cemetery tract. Their heirs gave it to the Sipe Springs Cemetery Association. The graveyard is still in use today with about 1150 grave sites including veterans from the Civil War and Spanish-American War; World War I, World War II; and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. (1978) GENERAL ASHBEL SMITH, C.S.A. Marker # 2123 Location: SW corner of Courthouse grounds, SH 16 City: Comanche Marker Erected: 1965 Marker Text: (1805-1886) Born in Connecticut. Graduated at 19 from Yale. Studied medicine in France, where friends were Revolutionary War hero Lafayette and inventor Samuel F. B. Morse. As a North Carolina doctor he later took interest in politics and government. Came to Texas 1837. Was made Surgeon-General of Army. As head right (settler's land bounty) and pay for Army service, obtained in 1839 Comanche County tract on South Leon River, near this site. Was sent to England and France, 1842, as Texas Charge D'Affaires. In Cabinet of President Anson Jones, was last Secretary of State of Republic of Texas. Served in U.S. Army in Mexican War. As member of Texas Legislature, 1855-1857, worked in behalf of schools and railroads. Won Civil War citations for bravery. Commanded 2nd Texas Infantry. Built defenses and helped to save Texas Coast from Federal invasion. In 1865, at the end of the war, served as one of Commissioners empowered to negotiate peace terms for Texas. Was elected to Legislature in 1865 and in 1877. Serving as first Chairman of Board of Regents of University of Texas, set ideals of scholarship. (1965) SOUTH LEON BAPTIST CHURCH Marker # 4980 Location: At Newburg Cemetery, FM 1476 City: Newburg Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: First Baptist church formed in Comanche County. Organized by the Rev. Richard Howard and 8 charter members, under a brush arbor built here, 1857. Early services were held in a log schoolhouse (300 ft. W). Later, combination church- school was built near cemetery. In 1906 the present building was erected. Church was dissolved, 1859, due to Indian troubles; reorganized in 1872 with James Cunningham and F. H. Neely as deacons. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964 SITE OF SWANN HILL SCHOOL Marker # 5159 Location: From Energy, take FM 2486 3 miles west City: Energy vicinity Marker Erected: 1992 Marker Text: John Henry Swann deeded this land about 1900 for educational purposes so that area children would not have to travel to Little Valley (3 mi. N) to school. In response, the Little Valley School closed and its building was relocated here. At its peak, Swann Hill offered ten grades of instruction to more than 100 students. In 1929, it was consolidated with the Pettit School (2 mi. W), and the schoolhouse was relocated again to enlarge that institution. Though operating only briefly, Swann Hill School was typical of early rural schools of the period. (1992) TAYLOR'S CHAPEL (CONCORD) CEMETERY Marker # 12358 Location: 5.5 miles northwest of Comanche on SH 36, then 2 miles northeast on FM 588, then 1 mile east on CR 144 City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 2000 Marker Text: This cemetery traces its history to the Concord Primitive Baptist Church, organized near this site prior to 1881. Many early graves are unmarked, though eighteen identifiable burials date from the 19th century. The earliest is that of F. M. Warren, who died in 1881. William T. Keith, who later married Warren's sister Sarah, told of driving the wagon transporting Warren's body to the cemetery. Other early burials include those of Dorcas Jones, interred here in 1883, and Warren's mother, Mary Ann, who died in 1884. Warren's father, Posey W. Warren (d. 1906), was a deacon and likely founder of Concord Church, which disbanded in 1907. R. A. Biggs was an early pastor of the church. George W. Brown (d. 1885) and his father, Confederate veteran Thomas Staton Brown (d. 1887), were members of a large family that owned surrounding lands, including a portion of the cemetery. The remainder of the original site was owned by Isaac Dye. Many early settlers of this area are interred in this graveyard. They include Civil War veterans Henry M. Dingus, James Hughes "Hood" Taylor, Posey W. Warren, Griffin E. Armstrong, James Andrews, Abram Hiram Beene, John Wesley Bishop, Isaac Neely Brown, William M. Clark, Samuel W. Hartman and Wilburn Lafayette Robertson. Concord Cemetery became known as Taylor's Chapel Cemetery after a congregational Methodist church was organized in 1901 on land acquired from James Hughes "Hood" Taylor, an Alabama native. A tangible reminder of the area's pioneer heritage, the cemetery continues to serve the Soda Springs, Beattie and surrounding communities. (2000) TEXAS CENTRAL RAILROAD Marker # 5251 Location: 302 N. Texas Street City: De Leon Marker Erected: 1994 Marker Text: Railroad construction in Texas, interrupted by the Civil War and by the national economic depression of the early 1870s, began a period of recovery in the late 1870s and early 1880s. Chartered on May 31, 1879, the Texas Central Railway was owned by the Houston & Texas Central Railway and was in competition with the Texas Pacific to build a line westward through North Central Texas. Extending from Ross Station near Waco in 1879, the Texas Central reached the Erath-Comanche County line in 1880. The Texas Central laid out the town of De Leon on April 10, 1881, and railroad official Robert M. Elgin conducted the sale of town lots from the back of a flatcar on July 7. Although the initial sale of lots was slow, the town soon developed and attracted new settlers from the Southeastern United States. Railroad offices, shops, and a roundhouse were built here, and De Leon became the area's primary shipping point for cotton and, later, peanuts and other products. Acquired by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) Railroad in 1910, the line continued to operate until 1967, when local backers purchased part of the line and continued to provide shipping service to customers along "The Peanut Line" connecting Dublin, De Leon, and Gorman. (1994) TOLIVER CEMETERY Marker # 5497 Location: From Lamkin, take county road NE about 0.75 mile, veer right at fork, then continue about 1.1 mile east to end of road; go NE about 0.15 mile. City: Lamkin vicinity Marker Erected: 1967 Marker Text: Burial place of pioneers, including James H. Neel (east center plot), one of first seven men to bring families here (1852), four years before county was organized. His home was a quarter-mile east. He was postmaster, Resley's Creek Village, Sept. 17, 1858 to Nov. 5, 1866. (1967) UNION PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH Marker # 5598 Location: on county road about 0.25 mile southwest of SH 36 in Lamkin City: Lamkin Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: Organized 1892 by Elders A. P. Koen, W. G. Green, W. C. Burks, and Deacons F. W. Bryan, J. H. Caudle. Charter members were Deacon A. B. Neal, Messrs. J. C. Clayton, J. W. Hamilton, G. R. Hamilton, John Manning, and J. A. Stevens, Clerk; also Mmes. M. J. Hamilton, L. J. Stevens, P. Neal, and H. D. Clayton. Early pastors were elders W. G. Green, A. P. Koen, and J. R. Sims. Except for one leave, Elder Len Dalton has been pastor since 1915. Assistant Pastors: Elders G. Dalton and C. T. Venable. First Deacons ordained: M. C. Morris and J. A. Stevens, whose son F. C. Stevens succeeded him as Clerk. (1968) ZION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH Marker # 5956 Location: 5.75 miles north of Comanche on SH 16, then 0.1 mile east to church, in the Van Dyke community City: Comanche vicinity Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: Second oldest Missionary Baptist church in county. Organized by C. S. Fritts, J. M. Lumpkin, Dennis O'Brian, Sarah Fritts, Jane O'Brian, Sarah Lumpkin, Stacy Martin and Mary E. Hardin, August 2, 1873, at Zion Hill Cemetery (1/2 mi. W.). First frame building was erected at that site. Delegates from area's various Baptist churches met here in 1875 to form county's first Baptist Association. Church moved to this site, 1912. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968