Burkburnett in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Simon Peter Hawkins

(1849-1930)

Photographed by James Hulse, October 27, 2025

1. Simon Peter Hawkins Marker

Inscription. A pioneer leader in Wichita County, Simon Peter Hawkins was born in Crockett County, Tenn. He married Sara A. Hardin (1852-1937) in 1869. They had eight children. With his brother-in-law John G. Hardin, Hawkins moved his family to Johnson County, Texas, in 1875. Seeking better land, the men found lush grass in present Wichita County and settled their families on the north side of Gilbert Creek. After fire destroyed the Hawkins' dugout home the family moved about ¼ mile south of this site. Hawkins signed a petition for establishing Wichita County. He voted in the first county election and served on the first county grand jury. He helped organize the First Baptist Church, the first Masonic lodge and the first school in this area.

Hardin bought a store patronized by Indians and cowboys. The cowboys called the colony Nesterville. When the post office was established in 1882, it was renamed Gilbert. Hawkins served as mail carrier, making two trips weekly to Wichita Falls. After the railroad arrived, settlers in Gilbert moved about one mile to the new townsite of Burkburnett. When oil discoveries turned Burkburnett into a boom town, Hawkins and his wife moved to Mineral Wells. He died there and was buried in the Burkburnett Cemetery.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker

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Number 4703.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 34° 5.388′ N, 98° 35.276′ W. Marker is in Burkburnett, Texas, in Wichita County. It is on Charlotte Avenue 0.2 miles west of Preston Road, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 529 Charlotte Ave, Burkburnett TX 76354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Burkburnett Masonic Lodge No. 1027 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Panhandle Oil and Refining Company (approx. 0.9 miles away); 1960 Ford Milk Truck (approx. 0.9 miles away); Charley Lee Coe (approx. 0.9 miles away); Booker T. Washington Elementary School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Providence Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Journey's End Cemetery (approx. one mile away); John Gerham Hardin (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkburnett.

Also see . . . Simon Peter Hawkins. Wichita County Historical Commission (Submitted on October 30, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by James Hulse, October 27, 2025

2. Simon Peter Hawkins Marker

The view of the Simon Peter Hawkins Marker along the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 27, 2025

3. The view of the Simon Peter Hawkins Marker along the street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 30, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.