Near Vernon in Wilbarger County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Doan's Crossing

Photographed by Gary Estep, October 24, 2025

1. Doan's Crossing Marker

Inscription. A major route for cattle drives known primarily as the Western Trail developed from far South Texas to Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s. About 1876, trail drivers along the route began crossing the Red River near this site. In 1878, Ohio native Jonathan Doan established a trading post near the crossing and became the first person to permanently settle in Wilbarger County (organized in 1881). In the early 1880s he and his partner/nephew Corwin F. Doan recorded the passage of hundreds of thousands of cattle along this river crossing which became known as Doan's Crossing.

Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1234.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 34° 20.593′ N, 99° 15.317′ W. Marker is near Vernon, Texas, in Wilbarger County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 924 and Farm to Market Road 2916, on the right when traveling north on Highway 924. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vernon TX 76384, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Big Country.

It is also on the American Great Plains

and specifically on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Doan's Crossing on Red River (here, next to this marker); The Western Texas – Kansas Trail (here, next to this marker); Capt. John T. Lytle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Doans' Adobe Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Beginning Trip of Abernathy Boys to New York City in 1910 (approx. 10.2 miles away in Oklahoma); W. D. Berry Home (approx. 13.2 miles away); Wilbarger County Veterans Memorial (approx. 13.2 miles away); Vernon Drugstore (approx. 13.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vernon.

Also see . . . Doan's Crossing - The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture .

Doan's Crossing Marker <i> in the center</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, June 8, 2017

2. Doan's Crossing Marker in the center

Three Historical Markers at Doan's Crossing.

(Submitted on June 20, 2023.)

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, June 8, 2017

3. Doan's Crossing Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 5,867 times since then and 185 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2025, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.