La Vernia in Wilson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Whitehall
Photographed by Dave W, March 24, 2022
1. Whitehall Marker
Built by Joseph Polley (1795-1869), one of "Old 300" settlers of Stephen F. Austin, and the first Austin colony sheriff. From Fort Bend and Austin counties, he at last settled here, where he had cattle herds called largest in Texas. In 1847-51 he built this stone mansion, with framing of Bandera Cypress, and cabinet work shipped by sea from New York. This was area social center. From here house guest Robert E. Lee wrote his last Texas letter.
Erected 1962 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 13807.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 29° 19.033′ N, 98° 3.462′ W. Marker is in La Vernia, Texas, in Wilson County. It is on Farm to Market Road 39 half a mile south of Polly Lane, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11433 FM539, La Vernia TX 78121, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South. 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, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Polley Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Linne Oil Field (approx. half a mile away); Barker-Huebinger Homestead (approx. 1.8 miles away);
this page online
More about this marker. Medallion is out front and the marker with text is attached to the building. Text directly from the Texas Historical Commission Atlas.
Also see . . . Polley Mansion (Whitehall).
Joseph Henry Polley and his wife Mary Bailey Polley, the builders of this house, are Old 300s, the first settlers under Stephen F. Austins colony in Texas during the 1820s.(Submitted on December 5, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
Photographed by Dave W, March 24, 2022
2. Whitehall Marker
Photographed by Dave W, March 24, 2022
3. Whitehall Marker
Photographed by Dave W, March 24, 2022
4. Whitehall Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
