Bowie in Montague County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
M. Johnson Poultry Ranch
Photographed by Morgan Petermann, August 24, 2024
1. M. Johnson Poultry Ranch Marker
Inscription.
M. Johnson Poultry Ranch. . Mose Johnson was born at New Harp (Montague Co.) in 1881. His father died when Mose was three, and his mother Sarah gave him a baby chick to teach responsibility at an early age, sparking a lifelong interest in poultry. In 1904, Mose married Mabel Jones, and the following year they began the M. Johnson Poultry Ranch with five single comb white leghorns and one rooster. The ranchs large incubator led to international shipment of day old chicks, and by 1915, the ranch covered 350 acres and was considered one of the largest enterprises of its kind. The Johnsons 1924 home was advertised as the house that white leghorns built. The business continued to expand in Bowie and Wichita Falls before closing after Mabels death in 1974.
Mose Johnson was born at New Harp (Montague Co.) in 1881. His father died when Mose was three, and his mother Sarah gave him a baby chick to teach responsibility at an early age, sparking a lifelong interest in poultry. In 1904, Mose married Mabel Jones, and the following year they began the M. Johnson Poultry Ranch with five single comb white leghorns and one rooster. The ranchs large incubator led to international shipment of day old chicks, and by 1915, the ranch covered 350 acres and was considered one of the largest enterprises of its kind. The Johnsons 1924 home was advertised as the house that white leghorns built. The business continued to expand in Bowie and Wichita Falls before closing after Mabels death in 1974.
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14790.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 33° 33.113′ N, 97° 50.965′ W. Marker is in Bowie, Texas, in Montague County. It is at the intersection of Mayor Street and South Mills Street on Mayor Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 Mayor St, Bowie TX 76230, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes 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 Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2024, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,083 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2024, by Morgan Petermann of Hurst, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
