El Campo in Wharton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Prairie Switch

Photographed By James Hulse, February 21, 2022

1. Prairie Switch Marker

Inscription. El Campo was known as "Prairie Switch" when it was established in 1881 as a siding and shipping point on the New York, Texas and Mexican Railroad, where cattlemen rounded up their herds for shipping. It was also a station for construction gangs working on the railroad. These workers frequently referred to it as "The Camp", and the name was officially changed to "El Campo" in 1890.
The town was laid out by the railroad and not by the compass, with two main streets that crossed each other north of the tracks. In the 1890's herds of cattle were bedded down on this very site, now named Evans Park.
This replica of an open depot is sponsored by the Beautify El Campo Extension (BEEs) of the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and the El Campo Museum Society. It is dedicated to the hardy men and women who settled this community, and commemorates El Campo's rich heritage during the Texas Sesquicentennial year of 1986.
Others making this project possible are Sorosis Club, Rotary Club, Women's Club, Sesame Club, Pilot Club, Lions Club, Jaycees, BLS Construction, Inc. and the El Campo Leader-News.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 29° 11.76′ N, 96° 16.115′ W. Marker is in El Campo, Texas

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, in Wharton County. Marker is on Monseratte Street near N. Mechanic Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 156 E Monseratte Street, El Campo TX 77437, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First National Bank of El Campo (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); El Campo Library Building (about 600 feet away); El Campo (approx. 0.2 miles away); El Campo First Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); First Christian Church of El Campo (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Parish (approx. half a mile away); El Campo Independent School District (approx. half a mile away); Site of Pierce Hotel (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Campo.

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

2. Prairie Switch Marker

Depot Replica image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Steve Gustafson, June 13, 2010

3. Depot Replica

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 770 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.