Pierce in Wharton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of Pierce Hotel
Photographed By James Hulse, February 21, 2022
1. Site of Pierce Hotel Marker
Here, in the 1890s, the celebrated Texas cattleman A.H. "Shanghai" Pierce (1834-1900) platted the townsite of Pierce, which he hoped would become the Wharton County seat. Its proximity to his ranch headquarters in the central part of the county was a major factor in his choice of location for the town. He laid out a public square, courthouse square, academy square, and a cemetery, he built several structures in the town, including a three-story hotel located at this site.The Pierce Hotel was designed to accommodate cattle buyers, traveling salesmen, and others attracted to the area by the railroad and Pierce's ranching interests. Located near the Southern Pacific railroad depot and across from the present Pierce Ranch entrance, the hotel was designed as the center of the town's planned growth, which did not develop. Although never opened to the public as a hotel the building was used for various purposes by several long-term tenants. A landmark on the Texas coastal prairie for more than eighty years, the Pierce Hotel was razed in 1980.
Still at this site of the hotel is its widow's walk, which was preserved as a symbol
Photographed By James Hulse, February 21, 2022
2. Site of Pierce Hotel Marker
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Erected 1984 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4717.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.
Location. 29° 14.304′ N, 96° 12.055′ W. Marker is in Pierce, Texas, in Wharton County. Marker is at the intersection of Loop State Highway 526 and Pierce Street, on the right when traveling west on State Highway 526. The marker is located across the street from the Pierce Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18566 Loop 526 Hwy, Pierce TX 77467, 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. El Campo (approx. 4.9 miles away); First National Bank of El Campo (approx. 5 miles away); Prairie Switch (approx. 5 miles away); El Campo Library Building (approx. 5.2 miles away); First Christian Church of El Campo (approx. 5.2 miles away); El Campo Independent School District (approx. 5.2 miles away); El Campo First Baptist Church (approx. 5.2 miles away); St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Parish (approx. 5.3 miles away).
Also see . . . Pierce, Abel Head [Shanghai] (18341900).
Abel Head (Shanghai) Pierce, cattle raiser, the son of Jonathan and Hanna (Head)(Submitted on February 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)Pierce, was born on June 29, 1834, at Little Compton, Rhode Island. He had a few winters' schooling in a one-room school at Little Compton before 1848 or 1849 when he was sent to St. Petersburg, Virginia, to serve a quasi-apprenticeship in the general merchandise business of his uncle, Abel Head. In June 1854 young Pierce stowed away on a schooner bound for Indianola, Texas. Source: The Handbook of TexasPhotographed By James Hulse, February 21, 20223. The view of the Site of Pierce Hotel Marker from across the street
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
