Old River-Winfree in Chambers County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Old River

Photographed By James Hulse, January 18, 2022

1. Old River Marker

Inscription. Formed as a channel of the meandering Trinity River, Old River rises in southwestern Liberty County and flows to the southeast, joining the Trinity in northwestern Chambers County. During the 1820s and 1830s the tributary was the center of early area settlement. Among the first pioneers to migrate here were Robert and Eleanor (Dorsett) Wiseman, who settled on nearby land grants in 1827.

Fertile soil for farming and abundant grassland for raising cattle made the Old River area an important early agricultural center of southeast Texas. Goods from the community, including animal skins, timber and charcoal, were shipped to market in Galveston.

Commercial activity in the Old River settlement grew as the population increased. Dr. James P. Alford pioneered in the area's shipping and business trade with Galveston, which led to the development of shipbuilding firms such as that of Capt. William Icet. Other significant businesses here included the brick kiln of P. Almeras and River Ferry operations.

The early residents of Old River set patterns of residential and industrial growth which are evident today. Descendants of the pioneer southeast Texas settlers still live in the area.

Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9129.)

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.

Location. 29° 52.418′ N, 94° 49.765′ W. Marker is in Old River-Winfree, Texas, in Chambers County. Marker is on Farm to Market Road 1409, half a mile north of Farm to Market Road 565, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located along the highway at a small pullout. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12402 FM1409, Baytown TX 77523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hartman Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Henry and Amelia Griffith (approx. 1.1 miles away); St. Emily Methodist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Mont Belvieu (approx. 2½ miles away); First United Methodist Church and Cemetery of Mont Belvieu (approx. 4.1 miles away); Amos Barber Homesite and Cemetery (approx. 4.1 miles away); Barbers Hill Oil Field (approx. 4.9 miles away); Joseph Blancpain's French Trading Post (approx. 6.1 miles away).

Also see . . .

The Old River Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, January 18, 2022

2. The Old River Marker

Old River-Winfree, TX.

Old River-Winfree, formerly known as Winfree and also referred to as Old River Winfree's, is at the junction of Farm roads 565 and 1409, thirty-five miles east of Houston in northwestern Chambers County. It derived its name from the Old River, which cuts through the community, and an early pioneer land grantee in the area. Robert Wiseman was among the first settlers of the hamlet in 1827. One letter indicates that the "Town of Archer" existed here during the 1830s. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on January 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Old River Marker from the highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, January 18, 2022

3. The view of the Old River Marker from the highway

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 517 times since then and 96 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.