Near Livingston in Polk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of the Town of Swartwout

Photographed by Jim Evans, December 15, 2016

1. Site of the Town of Swartwout Marker

Inscription. 86 blocks and 2 public squares were laid out here in 1838 with James Morgan, Arthur Garner and Thomas Bradley as proprietors. Named in honor of Samuel Swartwout (1783-1856), New York speculator and politician who advanced funds in 1836 to the Texas government. Important steamboat landing before the Civil War and ferry crossing until 1930.

Erected 1936 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 10426.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 30° 38.323′ N, 95° 0.279′ W. Marker is near Livingston, Texas, in Polk County. It is on Farm to Market Road 1988 0.7 miles north of Farm to Market Road 3278, on the left when traveling south. In front of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5029 South FM 1988, Livingston TX 77351, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

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 Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Early Roads in Polk County (approx. ¼ mile away); Goodrich School (approx. 4.2 miles away); Margaret V. "Margo" Jones (approx. 5.8 miles away); Forest Hill Cemetery

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(approx. 5.8 miles away); Trinity Lodge No. 14, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 6.1 miles away); The Sawyer House (approx. 6.2 miles away); First Methodist Church of Livingston (approx. 6.2 miles away); Birthplace of Margo Jones (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.

More about this marker. The town of Swartwout is today largely under Lake Livingston which was created by damming the Trinity River, the second largest river in Texas. This marker was moved to land before the lake filled. It is now on the property of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

Regarding Site of the Town of Swartwout. Texas Ghost Town
Swartwout is considered a submerged Texas Ghost Town.

Locals call the town Swartout omitting the W. The correct name is Swartwout after the man it was named for.

Swartwout was originally a ferry landing that became a river port. After there was no more need for the ferry and port almost everyone except black farm laborers moved away.

Also see . . .
1. Swartwout in the Handbook of Texas. (Submitted on December 16, 2016, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)

Church where the Town of Swartwout Marker is located today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, December 15, 2016

2. Church where the Town of Swartwout Marker is located today

2. Article about Swartwout. (Submitted on December 16, 2016, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)
3. Article on Samuel Swartwout for whom the settlement was named. The town was named for him because of the financial aid he gave to the Texians during the Texas War for Independence from Mexico (Submitted on December 16, 2016, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2016, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,169 times since then and 152 times this year. Last updated on June 25, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2016, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.