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

The City of Denton

Photographed By Brian Anderson, August 11, 2018

1. The City of Denton Marker

Inscription. Pioneers settled this locality in the 1840s. 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

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5309.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 33° 12.89′ N, 97° 7.971′ W. Marker is in Denton, Texas, in Denton County. Marker is at the intersection of West Hickory Street and North Locust Street (U.S. 77/377), on the left when traveling east on West Hickory Street. On the courthouse square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 West Hickory Street, Denton TX 76201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John B. Denton (here, next to this marker); Edna Westbrook Trigg in Denton County (a few steps from this marker); Denton County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Denton County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Denton County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Sherman Building (about 300 feet away); Site of Lacy Hotel (about 300 feet away); Texas Normal College (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Denton.

Also see . . . Denton, TX (Denton County) - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on August 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, January 6, 2007

2. The City of Denton Marker

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

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, January 6, 2007

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

Photographed By Brian Anderson, August 11, 2018

4. The City of Denton Marker

Markers visible in this photo from left to right: Edna Westbrook Trigg in Denton County, The City of Denton, John B. Denton

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,416 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on August 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 4. submitted on August 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.