Near Wells in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Homer-Alto Road
Photographed by Steve Gustafson, November 22, 2009
1. Homer-Alto Road Marker
Inscription.
Homer-Alto Road. . As the population increased in Angelina and Cherokee counties in the 1860s, a formal system of roads began to take shape. Until that time, roads were usually forged by farmers and other pioneers carrying goods to market or traveling to new homes, as in other areas of Texas. Construction of a road from Homer (at that time Angelina County seat) to Alto began in 1860. The survey crew followed buffalo and Indian trails to determine the best route for the new road. Once open, it was the official mail route from Homer to Alto, and then on to Rusk, the Cherokee County seat. It led through a community known as Denman Springs until 1886 when Lufkin was created there and the road became Denman Avenue. The main part of the Homer- Alto Road became State Highway 40 in the 1930s and later U.S. Highway 69.
As the population increased in Angelina and Cherokee counties in the 1860s, a formal system of roads began to take shape. Until that time, roads were usually forged by farmers and other pioneers carrying goods to market or traveling to new homes, as in other areas of Texas. Construction of a road from Homer (at that time Angelina County seat) to Alto began in 1860. The survey crew followed buffalo and Indian trails to determine the best route for the new road. Once open, it was the official mail route from Homer to Alto, and then on to Rusk, the Cherokee County seat. It led through a community known as Denman Springs until 1886 when Lufkin was created there and the road became Denman Avenue. The main part of the Homer- Alto Road became State Highway 40 in the 1930s and later U.S. Highway 69.
Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11802.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 31° 31.48′ N, 94° 58.114′ W. Marker is near Wells, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 69 and County Road 2626, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 69. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wells TX 75976, 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.
More about this marker. This marker is beside Mt. Hope Cemetery marker.
Photographed by Steve Gustafson, February 27, 2010
2. Homer-Alto Road Marker and Mt. Hope Cemetery Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 1, 2025
3. Homer-Alto Road Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,699 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 3. submitted on December 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
