Sundance Square in Fort Worth in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ephraim Merrill Daggett

(June 3, 1810 - April 19, 1883)

Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, March 6, 2023

1. Ephraim Merrill Daggett Marker

Inscription. Canadian born Ephraim Merrill Daggett was reared on a farm in Indiana. He traded with the Indians at Fort Dearborn (Chicago) in the early 1830s then moved to Shelby County, Republic of Texas, in 1838. There he and his family became involved in the East Texas Regulator-Moderator feud (1839-1844). He later served as a Captain in the Mexican War of 1846.

While serving as State Legislator from Shelby County (1851-53), he established a mercantile business and a hotel in the frontier town of Fort Worth. In 1854 he moved his family here and soon thereafter began purchasing large tracts of Tarrant County real estate. Daggett used his influence as a former legislator to help secure Fort Worth's selection as County Seat in 1860. After serving as Brigadier General during the Civil War, he engaged in the mercantile and cattle business in Fort Worth.

In 1873 Daggett's likeness was chosen to adorn the City's first seal. His role in bringing the Texas & Pacific Railroad here in 1876, developing a downtown district, and in helping transform Fort Worth from an abandoned military post to a center of commerce earned Daggett reknown as "The Father of Fort Worth". He is buried in the City's Pioneer's Cemetery.

Erected 1993 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1490.)

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1810.

Location. 32° 45.065′ N, 97° 19.761′ W. Marker is in Fort Worth, Texas, in Tarrant County. It is in Sundance Square. Marker is on west 9th Street near Houston Street. Marker is in front of Fort Worth Convention Center, to the right of the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Worth TX 76102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Flatiron Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Medical District (within shouting distance of this marker); JFK (within shouting distance of this marker); "A Great Time to be Alive" (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Business District (within shouting distance of this marker); General William Jenkins Worth (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Worth Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Majestic Theatre (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Worth.

Photographed By Jeff Leichsenring, March 6, 2023

2. Ephraim Merrill Daggett Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.