Waco in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Jacob de Cordova
(June 6, 1808 - January 26, 1868)
When Galveston’s John S. Sydnor (1812-1869) acquired a large tract of land here on the Brazos River’s west bank in 1847, De Cordova was retained to survey and sell the property. He in turn hired George Bernard Erath (1813-1891) to conduct the survey. By 1848 De Cordova obtained control of the tract and journeyed here with Erath to lay out the town of Waco. About 1849 De Cordova also was retained to sell a vast tract near here on the east bank of the Brazos River.
De Cordova donated several lots to the new town, including this Waco Spring site, the common square, and sites for numerous schools and churches. He died while formulating a scheme to industrialize the Brazos River Valley and was buried at Kimball in Bosque County (about 45 mi. NW). In 1935 De Cordova’s remains were moved to the state cemetery in Austin.
Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2708.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1808.
Location. 31° 33.646′ N, 97° 7.692′ W. Marker is in Waco, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker can be reached from University Parks Drive east of Washington Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located west of the Waco Suspension Bridge in Indian Spring Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waco TX 76701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Waco Suspension Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Waco Suspension Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Waco Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Plaza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away); Washington Avenue Bridge at Brazos River (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Waco Suspension Bridge (about 700 feet away); Going Up The Chisholm Trail (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waco.
Also see . . . Jacob Raphael De Cordova. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on May 17, 2016.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 602 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.