Marathon in Brewster County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Colonel Lewis Given Harman
1818-1902
Photographed by Brian Anderson, August 31, 2019
1. Colonel Lewis Given Harman Marker
Typical of those who served the South and then moved into new counties of Western Texas. Surveyor, Indian agent, soldier, legislator, Justice of the Peace.
Born in Tennessee. Moved to Texas 1838. Fought in Mexican War. Though 43 when Civil War began, immediately joined 11th Texas Cavalry, in swift 1861 campaign to place Confederate forts in Indian Territory. Was Post Commander, Fort Arbuckle, I.T., June to August 1861.
Civic leader in Marathon after its founding in 1882. Had town's first Masonic funeral.
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 964.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 30° 12.441′ N, 103° 11.929′ W. Marker is in Marathon, Texas, in Brewster County. It is on U.S. 90 one mile east of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located two miles east of downtown Marathon and one mile east of the Denuded Ouachita Rock Belt historical marker on US 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marathon TX 79842, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. First School House (was approx. 2.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding Colonel Lewis Given Harman. Marathon's Lewis Harman had worn the three collar stars of a Confederate colonel. Beyond the information from the historical marker, however, there are very few sources on this distinguished character.
Additional commentary.
1. Missing Gravesite of Colonel Harman
Even though the historical marker records that Colonel Harman's funeral was in Marathon his grave is not at the Marathon Cemetery. One source offers only that he was buried in Brewster County, an area the size of the state of Connecticut. Considering his rank in the Confederate Army and postwar prominence in Marathon it is peculiar that the old soldier's grave is not a known memorial. I am currently researching the colonel and in finding his grave site. Anyone with any information please e-mail me.
Photographed by Zacharias Beau T, January 11, 2016
2. Colonel Lewis Harman Historical Marker
View of marker facing south. To the west, out of the frame, is a great view of Mount Ord and the Sierra Del Norte Range, elevation 6,833 feet above sea-level.
Photographed by Brian Anderson, August 31, 2019
3. Colonel Lewis Given Harman Marker
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 25, 2026
4. Colonel Lewis Given Harman Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2011, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,923 times since then and 209 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 28, 2011, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas. 3. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 4. submitted on June 1, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
