Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Helena Kimble Dill Nelson

(1770 - 1848)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 1, 2025

1. Helena Kimble Dill Nelson Marker

Inscription. Mother of child thought to have been first Anglo-American born in Texas, in 1804. Helena Kimble was born in Maryland. Married James Dill in 1786. Moved to Nacogdoches, then under Spanish rule, 1793. There he became an Indian trader and served as alcalde (mayor), 1821-1823. He died 1825. She gained title in 1828 to Dill's land grant, in present Cherokee County. Moved here and soon after married Wm. Nelson. Recorded - 1969

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 6963.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 31° 39.477′ N, 95° 1.515′ W. Marker is in Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is on State Highway 21 west of County Road 2637, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10450 TX-21, Alto TX 75925, 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

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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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Palestine Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ellis P. Bean (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Palestine Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Candace Midkiff Bean (approx. 1.9 miles away); Selman-Roark Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); In the Present County of Cherokee (approx. 2 miles away); Terrell Lodge No. 83 A.F. & A.M. (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 1, 2025

2. Helena Kimble Dill Nelson Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 1, 2025

3. Helena Kimble Dill Nelson Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.