Cleburne in Johnson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Buchanan

(1/4 Mile Southwest)

Photographed by James Hulse, May 14, 2026

1. Site of Buchanan Marker

Inscription.
Johnson County's second seat of government. (Wardville just west of Nolan River, at U.S. 67, was first.) Buchanan, named for President-elect of the United States, was founded in Dec. 1856 on 60-acre townsite donated by John P. Bailey. A jail (first for the county) and office for the district clerk were built 1858. But lack of a reliable water supply hindered town's growth.

Later resurvey of county lines showed necessity for a new site. In 1867, Camp Henderson (renamed Cleburne, July 4, 1867) was chosen. Cemetery is only remaining trace of old Buchanan townsite.

Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4735.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1856.

Location. 32° 24.697′ N, 97° 26.816′ W. Marker is in Cleburne, Texas, in Johnson County. It is on Weatherford Highway (State Highway 171) half a mile south of County Road 1010, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4263 State Hwy 171, Cleburne TX 76033, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Southwest Metroplex Baptist Association (approx. 5.1 miles away); Oliver Perry Arnold (approx. 5.3 miles

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away); First Baptist Church of Godley (approx. 5.3 miles away); Methodism in Joshua (approx. 5.4 miles away); Field Street Baptist Church (approx. 5.4 miles away); The Texas World War II Home Front (approx. 5½ miles away); Yellow Jacket Stadium (approx. 5½ miles away); First Baptist Church of Cleburne (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleburne.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 14, 2026

2. Site of Buchanan Marker

Photographed by James Hulse, May 14, 2026

3. Site of Buchanan Marker

A unique concrete walkway leads the path to the marker.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 14, 2026

4. Site of Buchanan Marker

View of the marker looking south along the highway.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 15, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.