Near Shiner in Lavaca County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ponton Family
Photographed by Stan Lewis, June 13, 2023
1. Ponton Family Marker
William Ponton was the first recorded settler killed by Comanche Indians in the area that became Lavaca County. Joel Ponton and a companion were attacked in the same area in 1840; Joel survived with two arrows in his back. Ponton Creek was named for William.
The Pontons and their neighbors stood up against the Mexican Army in the Battle of Gonzales and later fled the area in "The Runaway Scrape" in the wake of Santa Anna's victory at the Alamo. After the Texan victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, they returned to rebuild their homes from almost nothing. They endured Indian attacks and lived through the eras of the Republic of Texas, Statehood, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Exemplary pioneers, they were mothers and fathers, alcaldes, judges, tax collectors, commissioners, doctors, preachers, storekeepers, farmers, ranchers, and official
this page online
The children and grandchildren of William and Isabella Ponton forged Lavaca County from a wilderness. The story of the Ponton family is a story of Texas.
Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12021.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 29° 29.579′ N, 97° 8.934′ W. Marker is near Shiner, Texas, in Lavaca County. It is on Texas Route 95 0.1 miles north of County Route 281, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at Ponton Creek. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5339 State Hwy 95, Shiner TX 77984, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. 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, one of the Confederate
Photographed by QuesterMark, March 15, 2025
2. Ponton Family Marker vicinit
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sulphur Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Evergreen School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of Oak Grove School (approx. 3.1 miles away); Site of Bunjes School (approx. 3.4 miles away); Shiner Game and Fish Protective League (approx. 3.6 miles away); Shiner Colored Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); Shiner Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); All Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiner.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2023, by Stan Lewis of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,613 times since then and 143 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 8, 2023, by Stan Lewis of Houston, Texas. 2. submitted on April 27, 2025, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
