Latexo in Houston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Latexo Baptist Church

Photographed by James Hulse, September 26, 2022

1. Latexo Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. The community of Stark Switch, originally known as Oldham, was the home of protestant worship for early settlers from the mid-19th century. Stark Switch Baptist Church of Christ was organized on July 19, 1900, with 27 charter members. The Louisiana Texas Orchard Company became the community's major employer in the early 1900s. The community name changed to Latexo in the company's honor, and the Baptist church name changed to Latexo Baptist Church in 1905. The congregation moved into the local schoolhouse in 1905 and purchased the building from the county in 1912. After 1930 the community gradually moved east with the new main highway, and Latexo Baptist Church followed in 1945. The church thrived in its new location, building new facilities to meet the needs of its members and programs. Celebrating a century of service in the year 2000, the church continues in the traditions of its founders.

Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11679.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 19, 1900.

Location. 31° 23.723′ N, 95° 28.542′ W. Marker is in Latexo, Texas, in Houston County. It is at the intersection of Highway 287 (State Highway 19) and

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Farm to Market Road 2663, on the right when traveling north on Highway 287. The marker is located at the front of the church near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3962 US 287, Latexo TX 75849, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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 Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Town of Latexo (approx. ¼ mile away); John Wortham (approx. 2½ miles away); John Gordon Beasley, Sr. (approx. 4.3 miles away); Vicory Barker Tunstall (approx. 4.4 miles away); Houston County (approx. 4.6 miles away); Site of Mary Allen Seminary (approx. 4.8 miles away); The Beazley House (approx. 5 miles away); Col. Steward Alexander Miller (approx. 5.1 miles away).

Also see . . . Stark's Switch. Texas Almanac

Latexo, previously known as Stark's Switch, is an incorporated rural community five miles north of Crockett on U.S. Highway 287 and State Highway 19 in north central Houston County. It was established in 1872, when the International and Great Northern Railroad was constructed through the area. The railroad built a small siding to serve nearby Stark's Sawmill, and a community, known as Stark's Switch, developed. Just after 1900 the Louisiana Texas Orchard Company purchased 3,000 acres surrounding the settlement and platted a town named Latexo, an acronym of the company's name.

The front of the Latexo Baptist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 26, 2022

2. The front of the Latexo Baptist Church and Marker

(Submitted on October 2, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Latexo Baptist Church and Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 26, 2022

3. The view of the Latexo Baptist Church and Marker from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.