Weatherford in Parker County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Dean of Texas Trail Drivers Oliver Loving (1812 - 1867)

Photographed by Alan Stricklin, May 11, 2007

1. The Dean of Texas Trail Drivers Oliver Loving (1812 - 1867) Marker

Inscription. Founder of three major cattle trails, Oliver Loving came from Kentucky to Texas in 1845 and to Parker County about 1855. During the Civil War (1861-65), he supplied beef to Confederate forces. With Charles Goodnight as partner on a drive to New Mexico, Loving scouted ahead of the cattle, was badly wounded by Indians, lay five days without food before his rescue, and died of gangrene on September 25, 1867. His dying wish was fulfilled when his son Joseph joined Goodnight to bring the body 600 miles by wagon for burial in this county. Recorded, 1977.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3850.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1839.

Location. 32° 45.806′ N, 97° 47.579′ W. Marker is in Weatherford, Texas, in Parker County. It can be reached from Front Street. Marker is in Greenwood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weatherford TX 76085, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas C. Snailum (within shouting distance of

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker); Bose Ikard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old City Greenwood Cemetery (about 300 feet away); Samuel Joseph Redgate (about 300 feet away); James Robertson Couts (about 300 feet away); Fred Rider Cotten (approx. ¼ mile away); Gustavus Adolphus Holland (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weatherford.

Photographed by Alan Stricklin, May 11, 2007

2. The Dean of Texas Trail Drivers Oliver Loving (1812 - 1867) Marker

Oliver Loving image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown

3. Oliver Loving

Photographed by Gary Estep

4. The Dean of Texas Trail Drivers Oliver Loving (1812 - 1867) Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2010, by Alan Stricklin of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,518 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2010, by Alan Stricklin of Fort Worth, Texas. 4. submitted on February 22, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.