Glidden in Colorado County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Glidden
Photographed By James Hulse, August 1, 2021
1. Glidden Marker
Before the railroad came to Colorado County, this area was the origin of several cattle drives to northern markets. Early settlers in the region were area gravel industry pioneer J.N.Mahon; John Turnbough, a contractor who came in 1877; rancher J.L. Townsend, who purchased land in 1879 and later served as Colorado County Sheriff; T.J. Oakes, A.A. Oakes, and A.J. Folts, founders of a mercantile business that remained in operation for more than 100 years; and the L.H. Schulenburg family, who developed the first addition to Glidden.
In 1882 T.J. Oakes sold land to the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway Company. A switchyard, depot, roundhouse, turntable, water well, and section house were built. H.T. Youens was station agent in 1885. The townsite of Glidden, named for railroad engineer F.G. Glidden, was platted that year and quickly developed as a rail center for the surrounding area.
Many Scotch-Irish and English railroad workers were attracted to Glidden during its early years. In 1888 the post office was established, and by 1897 a school had opened. Although Glidden has continued as a railroad town, many changes have taken place in the rail industry and in the community. The history of Glidden is an important part of Colorado County's heritage.
Erected
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 29° 42.119′ N, 96° 35.223′ W. Marker is in Glidden, Texas, in Colorado County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 90 and 8th Street, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 90. The marker is located along the north side of Highway 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glidden TX 78943, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Glidden Baptist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Olive Branch Baptist Church and Rocky Chapel School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rocky Chapel (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hebrew Benevolence Society Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Site of the Camp of Gen. Joaquín Ramírez y Sesma (approx. 1.6 miles away); Columbus Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Rev. Jacob Scherer (approx. 1.7 miles away); Colonel Joseph Worthington Elliott Wallace (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glidden.
Also see . . . Glidden, TX.
During the Spanish-American War and the two world wars, the(Submitted on August 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)railroad shops were a link in transcontinental rail service, and the community prospered accordingly. The advent of diesel and electric engines and the concurrent loss of the older steam engines made most of the shops and equipment in Glidden obsolete, and they were slowly phased out to make way for more switching yards during the late 1940s and 1950s. Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, August 1, 20212. The Glidden Marker near the Welcome to Glidden sign
Photographed By James Hulse, August 1, 2021
3. The view of the Glidden Marker from across the highway
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 6, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
