Gainesville in Cooke County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Moffett Park

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

1. Moffett Park Marker

Inscription. The owner of 90 acres in this vicinity, Missouri native Ned Moffett, Sr., (1842-1924) wed Mary Stone on April 19, 1866. The couple had nine children, and early census records listed the family as Mulatto. The Moffetts permitted use of this property along Elm Creek for celebrations by local African American citizens, and in 1943 the City of Gainesville bought the land from heirs to form Moffett Park. The first large social event in the new park was the 1944 Juneteenth celebration. Recreational facilities eventually included playground equipment and a pool. Following integration of nearby Leonard Park in the mid-1960s, the site declined in use, but it remains an important reminder of the city's past.

Erected 2005 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13812.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 33° 37.472′ N, 97° 9.265′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Texas, in Cooke County. It is on West California Street (Farm to Market Road 51) west of Frontage Interstate 35 Frontage Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1025 West California Street, Gainesville TX 76240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

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: Cooke County C.S.A. / 2nd Frontier Regiment

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(here, next to this marker); Cooke County (within shouting distance of this marker); Cooke County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gainesville, Texas Gold Star Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Paint Horse Association (about 700 feet away); Gainesville Community Circus (approx. 0.2 miles away); W. T. G. Weaver (approx. 0.4 miles away); Booker T. Washington School (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gainesville.

Regarding Moffett Park. Moffett Park is located across California Street from Leonard Park. Moffet is a neighborhood park with 6.37 acres. Moffet Park, like Leonard Park, has 80 to 100 foot towering pecan trees. It is a majestic park but lacks amenities. The park includes a storage building, a swing set, six picnic tables, and two grills and disc golf.

View of marker with Highway U.S. 82 in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

2. View of marker with Highway U.S. 82 in background.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, August 11, 2018

3. Moffett Park Marker

Markers visible from left to right: Moffett Park, Cooke County C.S.A./2nd Frontier Regiment

Photographed by Jack Frye, December 10, 2021

4. Moffett Park Marker

Moffett Park in background. (Construction in progress nearby) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

5. Moffett Park in background. (Construction in progress nearby)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,217 times since then and 106 times this year. Last updated on August 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on August 15, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 4. submitted on December 11, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. 5. submitted on August 11, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.