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

Historical Stop - Downtown Commerce

Texas A&M University - Commerce

— Historic Walking Tour —

Downtown Commerce Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

1. Downtown Commerce Marker

Inscription.
Originally located in Cooper, East Texas Normal College moved to Commerce in 1894 following a devastating fire that destroyed the first and only campus building. The fire was one of many occurrences that prompted President Mayo to relocate the college to Commerce. Commerce was desirable partly due to the city’s rail connections and also because of a generous donation of land and money from the city to support the relocation. From September 3 to December 31, 1894, ETNC occupied space in a rented room on Main Street. The location was adjacent to the two-story Odd Fellows Building. The college had only 35 students. In 1895, the college’s first building in Commerce, College Hall, was completed, and the college moved to its present location.

Erected by Texas A&M University. (Marker Number 8.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is September 3, 1894.

Location. 33° 15.034′ N, 95° 53.997′ W. Marker is in Commerce, Texas, in Hunt County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (Texas Route 224) and Pecan Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1209 Main Street, Commerce TX 75428, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Incorporation of Commerce (here, next to this marker); Jernigin's Store (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bruce B. Williams American Legion Post No. 1 (about 600 feet away); Commerce Post Office (about 600 feet away); First Baptist Church of Commerce (about 600 feet away); First Christian Church of Commerce (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Presbyterian Church of Commerce (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Commerce Churches (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map

College rented space next to the two story building shown here. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

2. College rented space next to the two story building shown here.

Marker is on right, under tree.

of all markers in Commerce.

Also see . . .
1. Texas A&M University Walking Tour. Website entry (Submitted on July 15, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

2. History of Texas A&M University. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 14, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

View of marker looking east on Main Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

3. View of marker looking east on Main Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,361 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.