McGregor in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

McGregor

Photographed By James Hulse, March 2, 2023

1. McGregor Marker

Inscription. On September 7, 1882, lots in the town of McGregor Springs were sold at public auction. The event had been advertised statewide by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad and the Texas and St. Louis Railway. The community was named for Dr. Gregor Carmichael McGregor (1824-1902), a pioneer Texas physician who later became a prominent Waco businessman. As the settlement grew away from the springs on Harris Creek, it became known as McGregor.

Residents of such nearby pioneer settlements as Banks and Eagle Springs were among the first to move their families and businesses here. The post office was even listed as Banks for a short time in 1882. The first school, the McGregor Academy, was opened by J.S. Greenlee in 1883, four years before the McGregor Independent School District was created. The town was incorporated in 1886 and A.H. Crain was elected to serve as the first mayor.

Because of its location on major railroad lines, McGregor first developed as an agricultural shipping center. During World War II it experienced a period of intense growth due to the opening of an ordnance plant, continued development has resulted from the town's diversified economy and rich heritage.

Erected 1982 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3296.)

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is September 7, 1882.

Location. 31° 26.32′ N, 97° 24.403′ W. Marker is in McGregor, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is at the intersection of South Madison Avenue and West 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on South Madison Avenue. The marker is located in front of the pavilion in Legacy Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 320 South Madison Avenue, Mc Gregor TX 76657, 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. American Legion Memorial (a few steps from this marker); McGregor Mirror (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Christian Church of McGregor (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of McGregor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Zion Lutheran Church (approx. half a mile away); First Methodist Church of Oglesby (approx. 6.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Oglesby (approx. 6.3 miles away); Crawford (approx. 7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McGregor.

Also see . . . McGregor, TX. Texas State Historical Association

McGregor,
Photographed By James Hulse, March 2, 2023

2. The view of the McGregor Marker next to the pavilion in the park
first known as McGregor Springs, is an incorporated town sixteen miles southwest of Waco on U.S. Highway 84 in western McLennan County. It was established in 1882 at the intersection of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe and the Texas and St. Louis railways. The new town was named McGregor Springs in honor of Gregor Carmichael McGregor, a doctor who gave the railroad right-of-way to cross his land.

(Submitted on March 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.