Douglass in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Town of Douglass
Anticipating his new proposed town in the area to flourish, Costley had surveyor William Roark lay out the town in a square and began to sell lots. He and his partner Joseph S. Able owned the first general store named Costley & Able. A nearby river port on the Angelina shipped cotton to the Gulf and a stagecoach line was established. However, before the town took off, Costley was killed in a gunfight on November 16, 1837, by W. R. D. Speight, the first District Clerk of Nacogdoches.
The town was named in honor of General Kelsey Harris Douglass, a prominent early settler and Republic of Texas Congressman. In 1840, the town consisted of a two-story stagecoach inn, two hotels, jail, drugstore, post office, saloons, and a variety of shops. The first church was established in 1837 with nine people present at the first service. Devastating fires in 1943 and 1954 impeded town growth. Although never as large as its founders intended, the town of Douglass has been a significant gateway for travel, trade and communications from west to east.
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18626.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 31° 40.032′ N, 94° 52.987′ W. Marker is in Douglass, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 21 and Farm to Market Road 225, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 21. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Douglass TX 75943, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. San Patricio Rancho (here, next to this marker); Presidio Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Tejas (here, next to this marker); Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de los Hainais (here, next to this marker); Louis Juchereau de St. Denis (here, next to this marker); Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. half a mile away); Angelina River (approx. 4.6 miles away); Site of Linwood (approx. 4.6 miles away); a different marker also named Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Douglass.
Also see . . . Douglass, TX - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 71 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.