Near Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ellis P. Bean

(Peter Ellis Bean)

— (June 8, 1783-October 3, 1846) —

Ellis P. Bean Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 7, 2024

1. Ellis P. Bean Marker

Inscription. Born in Tennessee, Ellis P. Bean came to Texas with Philip Nolan's mustang hunters in 1800. He was captured by Spanish troops in 1801, and taken to Mexico as a prisoner. In 1810 he was freed in exchange for service to the Royalist Army, but he quickly deserted to the rebels under Morelos. Fifteen years later, Bean returned to the U. S. as a Mexican Colonel to seek aid for the rebel cause. He joined Andrew Jackson's army at the Battle of New Orleans, but returned to Mexico within the year. In 1816 he barely escaped the Royalists by leaving his wife to flee to the U. S. He married a Tennessean in 1818. They moved to Texas in 1823, where Bean served Mexico as an Indian agent. After Texas independence, Bean made his home near this site. He disappeared in 1843 to return to Mexico, dying in the home of his first wife in 1846.

Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11795.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 31° 39.609′ N, 95° 0.689′ W. Marker is near Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is on

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State Highway 21 1.3 miles east of County Road 2610, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Douglass TX 75943, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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 States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Palestine Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Old Palestine Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Helena Kimble Dill Nelson (approx. 0.8 miles away); Candace Midkiff Bean (approx. 1.1 miles away); Selman-Roark Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 1.6 miles away); In the Present County of Cherokee (approx. 2.7 miles away); Site of Linwood (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Brian Anderson, January 7, 2024

2. Ellis P. Bean Marker

of all markers in Alto.

Also see . . . Bean, Peter Ellis (1783–1846) - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio.)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 1, 2025

3. Ellis P. Bean Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on December 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.