Gail in Borden County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Gail Borden, Jr.

1801-1874

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, January 12, 2026

1. Gail Borden, Jr. Marker

Inscription. In 1876 the Texas State Legislature named one of the newly formed counties in the northwest part of the state in honor of Gail Borden. Born in Norwich, New York, Borden lived in Kentucky, Indiana and Mississippi. While living in Texas, Borden was a land surveyor, philanthropist and inventor. As a newspaper publisher, in 1835 Borden and his brother John helped spread the news about the fight for freedom from Mexico in the San Felipe de Austin Telegraph and Texas Register.

Borden's inventions included a meat biscuit, a sail powered wagon to travel over land and sea and saving countless lives, the most successful of inventions, condensed milk.

Borden died in 1874 in Borden, Colorado County, Tx. His body was shipped by private car to New York City where he is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 32° 46.214′ N, 101° 26.701′ W. Marker is in Gail, Texas, in Borden County. It is at the intersection of Wasson Road (U.S. 180) and Ranch to Market Road 669, on the left when traveling west on Wasson Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 Wasson Rd, Gail TX 79738, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Borden County (a few steps from this marker); Borden County Jail (within shouting distance of

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this marker); a different marker also named Borden County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Dorward Drug (within shouting distance of this marker); 1902–1904 Land Rushes (within shouting distance of this marker); Gail Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mushaway Peak (approx. 3.3 miles away); Garza Points (approx. 13.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gail.

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, January 12, 2026

2. Gail Borden, Jr. Marker

The view of the Borden County Stone marker as well as Gail Borden Jr. marker with the jail behind all three markers.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2026, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California. This page has been viewed 52 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2026, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.