Pelham in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Pelham Community

Photographed by James Hulse, December 6, 2022

1. Pelham Community Marker

Inscription. First called Forks of the Creek, this town was settled by Black families after 1866. Wesley United Methodist Church, which housed the first school, was organized in 1878 and moved near the present cemetery in 1890. Brown's Chapel A.M.E. Church was formed in 1905 and Union Baptist in 1916. Granted a post office in 1898, the town was renamed Pelham by postmaster Lewis Richie's wife for her home in Alabama. Population peaked at 350 in 1926. The post office, schools, stores, cotton gin, and telephone company that served the village are now gone, but the community heritage remains strong.

2nd Plaque
In Memory of Early SettlersWade Westbrook • Henry Sneed • Pompey Brown • Joe Allen • Moses Stanford • Tom Cook • Jake Thomas • Jasper Guess • Andrew Bell • A. Lockhart • John Henry • "Bear" Dave Henry • Henry Caruthers • Geo. Caruthers • John Carithers • W. Walker • John Blair • Lewis Richie • Levi Richie • Charlie Ross • Dolph Martin • W.M. Porter • S.C. Porter • Geo. Сее • Jim Sweeney • Jas. King • Alice Bell • Dr. D. Simmons • T.J. McClain • T.J. Douglas • Z.W. Carroll • W.P. Davenport

Erected 1975 by

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Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11621.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 31° 57.48′ N, 96° 48.608′ W. Marker is in Pelham, Texas, in Navarro County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 744 and County Highway 3280, on the right when traveling north on Highway 744. The marker is located on the east side of the road at a small road-side park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hubbard TX 76648, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ash Creek (Pelham) School (about

Early Settlers of Pelham Community image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 6, 2022

2. Early Settlers of Pelham Community

600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wesley Chapel Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pelham Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); Salem Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); Nathaniel Addison (approx. 2½ miles away); The Savage Schools (approx. 2.7 miles away); George Washington Savage (approx. 2.7 miles away); Brushie Prairie Methodist Church (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pelham.

The view of the Pelham Community Markers from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 6, 2022

3. The view of the Pelham Community Markers from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,134 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.