Fairy in Hamilton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Martin's Gap

Photographed by James Hulse, September 5, 2025

1. Martin's Gap Marker

Inscription. Mountain burial site for frontiersman Jim Martin, killed here by Indians in 1860's, when county had fewer than 500 people. Gap bore his name for 20 years. Settled in 1873 by Capt. Battle Fort, Confederate veteran and lawyer. A post-office established 1884 was named Fairy to honor Mrs. Phelps, Fort's beloved young daughter.

Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3230.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 31° 50.89′ N, 97° 59.007′ W. Marker is in Fairy, Texas, in Hamilton County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1602 and County Road 230, on the left when traveling north on Road 1602. The marker is located in front of the gazebo at the Fairy Community Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19170 FM1602, Hico TX 76457, 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 Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: United Methodist Church of Fairy (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fairy Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Hico (approx. 7.2 miles away); Olin Baptist Church

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(approx. 7½ miles away); Hamilton County, C.S.A. (approx. 8 miles away); John Rankin Alford (approx. 9.6 miles away); Frontier Home (approx. 9.7 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Hico (approx. 9.7 miles away).

Also see . . . History of Fairy, Texas: From Martin's Gap to a Small Community. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

Fairy, at the junction of Farm roads 219 and 1602 in northern Hamilton County, was first known as Martin's Gap for James Martin, an early settler who took an oxcart through the mountain gap.

(Submitted on September 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Martin's Gap Marker at the gazebo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 5, 2025

2. The view of the Martin's Gap Marker at the gazebo

The view of the Fairy Community Center and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 5, 2025

3. The view of the Fairy Community Center and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.