Near Burkeville in Newton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Stephen Alexander McBride
Photographed by James Hulse, December 19, 2025
1. Stephen Alexander McBride Marker
Inscription.
Stephen Alexander McBride. . As a co-founder of the Shankleville community, Stephen McBride worked to improve the lives of fellow African Americans. Stephen was born a slave in Texas in 1834. After emancipation, he and Jim Shankle bought land in northern Newton County, forming the nucleus of a community of homes, churches and businesses. McBride owned a cotton gin, store, blacksmith shop, and syrup, saw and grist mills in Shankleville. His most enduring contribution was McBride College (1883-1909), the gift of a man who could not read or write but valued education for young people. The two-story school building also served as a community center and site of religious revivals. Stephen McBride died in 1920.
As a co-founder of the Shankleville community, Stephen McBride worked to improve the lives of fellow African Americans. Stephen was born a slave in Texas in 1834. After emancipation, he and Jim Shankle bought land in northern Newton County, forming the nucleus of a community of homes, churches and businesses. McBride owned a cotton gin, store, blacksmith shop, and syrup, saw and grist mills in Shankleville. His most enduring contribution was McBride College (1883-1909), the gift of a man who could not read or write but valued education for young people. The two-story school building also served as a community center and site of religious revivals. Stephen McBride died in 1920.
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14658.)
Location. 30° 58.209′ N, 93° 42.413′ W. Marker is near Burkeville, Texas, in Newton County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1415 and County Road 1036, on the right when traveling south on Road 1415. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2042 FM 1415, Burkeville TX 75932, 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.
3. Stephen Alexander McBride Marker (right marker)
The Shankleville Community marker (#11126) is the marker on the left side and the Stephen Alexander McBride marker (#14658) is the marker on the right side.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
