Bowie in Montague County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Pelham Park

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 28, 2024

1. Pelham Park Marker

Inscription. Before Bowie was incorporated in 1883, Confederate Captain John J. Carter purchased 160 acres in 1878. As early as 1879, veterans of the Confederate Army would meet on land owned by Captain Carter. The Carter Property was situated near the new cemetery and was a place to congregate before or after a burial. Captain Carter died on Jan. 29, 1882, but his wife, Charlotte Jane Carter, permitted the veterans to continue using the property. Bowie Pelham Camp, No. 572, United Confederate Veterans, was organized in 1895 with over 100 members. The veterans purchased 26.5 acres from Charlotte Carter in 1901 for $450 with stipulations that the property would always be dedicated to veterans, past, present and future. In 1905, a pavilion was built in the park along with three water wells, a barbeque pit, mess house and a long dining shed. Land was paid in full by 1910 and the group grew to over 300 members.

Over the years, membership declined and the remaining camp members decided to transfer the property to the city of Bowie, which was finalized on August 14, 1923. On Jan. 6, 1931, the city fathers officially named the park Bowie

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Pelham Park. The Confederate monument located elsewhere in bowie was moved to the park in 1936 as well as the WWI marker. The first Jim Bowie Days celebration and rodeo to promote the community was held in 1967. “Second Monday,” a popular meeting of farmers and ranchers to barter livestock and goods near the railroad tracks, was eventually moved to Pelham Park in 1970. In 1989, the city of Bowie purchased 28 adjoining acres from the Hill Family for expansion of the park to continue the historical and community legacy of Pelham Park.

Erected 2016 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18546.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is August 14, 1923.

Location. 33° 33.087′ N, 97° 50.023′ W. Marker is in Bowie, Texas, in Montague County. It is on Pelham Street (Farm to Market Road 3043) east of East Wise Street (U.S. 81), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 413 Pelham Street, Bowie TX 76230, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 28, 2024

2. Pelham Park Marker

Region.

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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Elmwood Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Bowie (approx. 0.9 miles away); M. Johnson Poultry Ranch (approx. 0.9 miles away); City of Bowie (approx. one mile away); St. Peter Lutheran Church (approx. one mile away); First National Bank of Bowie (approx. one mile away); Montague County (approx. 1.6 miles away); Home County of Governor James V. Allred (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowie.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 498 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.