Corsicana in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Capt. Charles Henry Allyn
New York native Charles Henry Allyn (1842-1918) came to Texas in 1868, after having served as a captain in the Union army during the Civil War. Capt. Allyn arrived in Corsicana with his wife, Angela (Aldrich), in 1871. As a Corsicana businessman, he assisted in the organization of the First National Bank, local savings and loan companies, and the cotton mill. Allyn served as a member of the city council before holding a two-year term as Corsicana's mayor from 1888 to 1890. Capt. Allyn was also active in civic, educational, and church activities.
Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6226.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 32° 5.507′ N, 96° 27.752′ W. Marker is in Corsicana, Texas, in Navarro County. Marker is on 7th Avenue near Beaton Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located at the front of the Corsicana Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corsicana TX 75110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. From Steam to Electric Rail (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Merchants Opera House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Texas Natural Gas Pipelines (about 700 feet away); The Molloy Hotel (about 700 feet away); Henry G. Damon (about 800 feet away); State National Bank of Corsicana (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Commercial Oil Discovery in Texas (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Birthplace of the Petroleum Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corsicana.
Regarding Capt. Charles Henry Allyn. Mayor, April 1888 - April 1890, better known as Captain Allyn, was born in Oswego County, N.Y. in 1842, reared in Wisconsin, served in the Union Army, came to New Orleans as a quartermaster clerk in 1862, handling army supplies. As the H. & T. C. Railroad was being built north of Houston, he opened up several mercantile stores along the route, came to Corsicana in 1871 when the railroad arrived. With a flair for investments, he participated in the organization of the First National Bank, the Street Railway, the local Savings & Loan Co., the Merchants Opera House, the Oil Mill,
the Cotton Mill, the Country Club, and many other organizations. He took an active interest in the public schools, the orphans homes, and the public library. He had been an alderman for 14 years before serving a two year term as mayor. He got the town out of the mud in 1889 by requiring each property owner to install sidewalks next to the streets. Concrete was expensive, so bricks were used, and there are still many of these old brick sidewalks in the city. Beside a city official, he was a school trustee, being president of the School Board for one term. His last residence was 708 West Seventh Ave, and he died in 1918. Allyn Lang and Robert Hamilton, of this city, are his grandsons. (Navarro County - Mayors of Corsicana)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 619 times since then and 69 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 30, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.