Gustine in Comanche County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Cora
First County Seat of Comanche County
— (About 4 miles South) —
Founded 1854, as Troy. Later renamed in honor of a Miss Beeman of Bell County. In 1856 organization of Comanche County — then extending farther south and east than today's boundaries — Cora became county seat. A log cabin residence in Cora was the first Comanche County Courthouse, serving until the County Seat was relocated in 1859 in new town of Comanche.
That first courthouse and all the other buildings are gone from site of Old Cora. Only a cemetery — the oldest in Comanche County — remains. Thus Cora is an example of the many early, important towns no longer existent in Texas.
In the 254 counties of Texas, there have been 126 cases of redesignation of county seats. (Two counties have had five county seats each) boundary changes (as in Comanche County). Shifts in travel routes (as when railroads were built), changes from agrarian to industrial economy have caused counties to move their County seats to new locations. Old courthouses have found later usefulness as ranch headquarters, municipal buildings, or private homes. The first log cabin Courthouse of Comanche County reverted to use as a residence, but later was restored and used — as are many former courthouses — as part of a museum.
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1057.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 31° 50.738′ N, 98° 24.378′ W. Marker is in Gustine, Texas, in Comanche County. Marker is on 36th Division Memorial Highway (State Highway 36) just west of West Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 36th Division Memorial Hwy, Gustine TX 76455, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gustine (here, next to this marker); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Hasse Community (approx. 8.4 miles away); Newburg Cemetery (approx. 8˝ miles away); South Leon Baptist Church (approx. 8˝ miles away); Lamkin (approx. 8.6 miles away); Site of Old Gill Farm (approx. 10.3 miles away); Andrew Miller (approx. 11˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gustine.
Also see . . . Cora Texas. The town of Cora no longer exist today. (Submitted on December 9, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.