The City of Denton Marker

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Denton in Denton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The City of Denton

By Steve Gustafson, January 6, 2007

1. The City of Denton Marker

Inscription. Pioneers settled this locality in the 1840's. In 1846 the Texas Legislature created Denton County -- one of several carved from the Peters Colony grant. After trying other sites, the voters in 1856 accepted for county seat this tract donated by Hiram Cisco, William Loving, and William Woodruff. The city and county were named for John B. Denton (1806-41), a minister killed while defending frontier settlers. Woodruff, fellow surveyor C.C. Lacy, and attorney Otis Welch platted the townsite. In 1857 city lots were auctioned, the post office opened, and a church founded. J.M. Blount, Joseph A. Carroll, W.F. Egan, and I.D. Ferguson were pioneer leaders. A cotton gin and plants for making bricks, corn meal, flour and ice soon developed. The "Monitor," a newspaper, began its career in 1868. Sam Bass (1851-78), legendary western outlaw, trained and raced "The Denton Mare" while living and working as a local farm hand. North Texas State University originated here as Texas Normal College in 1890, and Texas Women's University opened in 1903 as the College of Industrial Arts. Agriculture-related businesses, education, and small factories sustain the economy. The city grew from 1,194 in its first census (1880) to 39,874 by 1970.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5309.)

The City of Denton Marker is to the right of the courthouse. Photo, Click for full size

By Steve Gustafson, January 6, 2007

2. The City of Denton Marker is to the right of the courthouse.

Location. 33° 12.887′ N, 97° 7.968′ W. Marker is in Denton, Texas, in Denton County. Marker is on Hickory Street near Elm Street, on the right when traveling east. Click for map. On the courthouse square. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 W. Hickory Street, Denton TX 76201, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. John B. Denton (here, next to this marker).

Credits. This page originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 679 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.