Lexington in Lee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Indian Camp Branch

Photographed By James Hulse, August 31, 2022

1. Indian Camp Branch Marker

Inscription. Located along an old buffalo trail, this creek was once fed by a spring and was a favorite camping place for Indian hunting parties. It was named Indian Camp Branch by James Shaw (1808-1879), a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836), to honor the hospitality of a band of friendly Tonkawa Indians he encountered near this site in 1837. Shaw built a cabin in this area and was soon joined by other Anglo-American settlers. A teacher surveyor and postmaster, Shaw also served as a senator and representative in congresses of the Republic and State of Texas.

Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8157.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1837.

Location. 30° 24.271′ N, 96° 59.861′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Texas, in Lee County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 77 and South Rockdale Street (Farm to Market Road 696), on the right when traveling north on U.S. 77. The marker is located at a small automobile pullout on the east side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington TX 78947, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. United Methodist Church of Lexington (approx. 0.9 miles away); The First Baptist Church of Lexington

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(approx. 0.9 miles away); Lexington Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); Town of Lexington (approx. one mile away); Lexington Masonic Lodge No. 138 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Lexington Memorial Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. 7.1 miles away); Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Also see . . . Tonkawa. Wikipedia

In 1859, the United States escorted the Tonkawa and a number of other Texas Indian tribes to a new home at the Wichita Agency in Indian Territory, and placed them under the protection of nearby Fort Cobb. When the American Civil War started, the troops at the fort received orders to march to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, leaving the Indians at the Wichita Agency unprotected.

In response to years of animosity (in part regarding rumors that the Tonkawas engaged in cannibalism), a number of pro-Union tribes, including the Delawares, Wichitas, and Penateka Comanches, attacked the Tonkawas as they tried to escape. The fight, known as the Tonkawa Massacre killed nearly half of the remaining
Photographed By James Hulse, August 31, 2022

2. Indian Camp Branch Marker
Tonkawas, leaving them with little more than 100 people. The tribe returned to Fort Griffin, Texas where they remained for the rest of the Civil War.

(Submitted on September 5, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Indian Camp Branch Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, August 31, 2022

3. The view of the Indian Camp Branch Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.