Decatur in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Sand Hill Community
Photographed By Jackson Frye
1. Sand Hill Community Marker
A center of pioneer culture in North Texas, drawing crowds to meet here at good spring of water issuing from beneath hill that gave community its name.
First church (Methodist) in territory to become Wise County was organized in home of Jim Brooks in 1854. Organizers, led by the Reverend W. H. H. ("Buck") Bradford, included Brooks, Charles Browder, Lemuel Cartwright, Thomas Cogdell, Benjamin Monroe, the Reverend John Roe, and Dr. Standifer. Cartwright soon built a new home and gave his original house to the church. The structure was affectionately called "Old Swayback", because its long ridgepole sagged under weight of the roof. All faiths held services there; it probably was site of first school (taught in 1855 by Eli Hoag) within the boundaries of Wise County, which was created in 1856.
County's first Masonic Lodge was also organized in home of Jim Brooks. Its first gristmill and other pioneer improvements were situated in this community. Last church on this site was burned on April 3, 1970.
Sand Hill Campground for years was site of social and religious gatherings.
Cemetery has graves of settlers and of veterans of Civil War and other conflicts. Captain Ira Long, a celebrated Texas Ranger, is buried here.
Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 33° 10.333′ N, 97° 33.359′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. Marker is on County Road 4226 east of County Highway 4127, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located inside the Sand Hill Cemetery. The cemetery is on a rural back road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Decatur TX 76234, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Texas Ranger Captain Ira Long (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wise County Reunion (approx. 3.6 miles away); Decatur Baptist College (approx. 3.9 miles away); Texas Tourist Camp Complex (approx. 4.1 miles away); Episcopal Mission of the Ascension (approx. 4.2 miles away); Sam Woody's Cabin (approx. 4.3 miles away); Deep Creek Community (approx. 4.4 miles away); The S. W. Tilghman House (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.
Photographed By Jackson Frye
2. Sand Hill Community Marker
Photographed By Jackson Frye
3. Sand Hill Community Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
