Dawson in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Town of Dawson
Photographed By James Hulse, January 17, 2023
1. Town of Dawson Marker
When Britton Dawson (1817-1905) came to Texas, he lived first in Jasper County. He settled at Spring Hill in 1846 on land he received as bounty for his service in the Battle of San Jacinto. Married twice and the father of 13 children, Dawson moved here in 1847 and later built a large home that served as a stagecoach stop.
In 1881 the Texas & St. Louis Railroad, known later as the "Cotton Belt", came through here on its route from Tyler to Waco. Dawson's sons, David E. and W.H., and their wives gave 100 acres in 1881 for a townsite on the new railroad. Named for the Dawsons, the town grew rapidly. Residents of Spring Hill, excited about business prospects, moved here. The railroad promptly set up a box car for a depot. Churches and schools were established immediately. Many merchants as well as the Masonic Lodge moved here from Spring Hill. This shift of population caused the Spring Hill community to decline while Dawson flourished.
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11613.)
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 31° 53.639′ N, 96° 42.873′ W. Marker is in Dawson, Texas, in Navarro County. Marker is at the intersection of North 1st Street and South Main Street, on the right on North 1st Street. The marker is located in the northwest corner of the Dawson City Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 North 1st Street, Dawson TX 76639, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Evangelist Lester L. Roloff (here, next to this marker); Britton Dawson Home (approx. 0.9 miles away); Braniff International Flight 352 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Battle Creek Burial Ground (approx. 1˝ miles away); Battle Creek Massacre Memorial Monument (approx. 1˝ miles away); Former Site of Liberty Hill Settlement (approx. 2˝ miles away); Spring Hill (approx. 3.3 miles away); Hometown of Tris Speaker (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dawson.
Also see . . . Dawson, TX. Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on January 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, January 17, 2023
2. The Town of Dawson Marker is the middle marker of the group of markers
Photographed By James Hulse, January 17, 2023
3. The view of the Town of Dawson Marker in the city park
Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
