Paradise in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Dallas, Pacific & Southeastern Railway
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
1. Dallas, Pacific & Southeastern Railway Marker
As railroads expanded across Texas in the 1880s, the Dallas, Pacific & Southeastern Railway was planned to link Dallas and Albuquerque. The road, which was graded northwest from Dallas to near this site, traversed southern Wise County, including crossings near Draco and Boonsville. Former County Sheriff W. J. Mann signed a deed on May 15, 1889 for the railway to establish a station near the Draco-Cottondale Road, now County Road 3555, on the west line of his property. The Wise County Messenger reported the railroad's progress, stating "a railroad outfit is camped at the mouth of Oates Branch resting up for a job," and "Draco will surely be the coming R.R. city, as the R.R. company will look to their own interests and will place the depot to the best advantage." Wise County deeds show dozens of land transactions by the railway company from March to December 1889. However, for lack of funds and competition, the rail line stopped in Wise County and no trains ran. The raised bed is still visible in several places and appears as "old railroad grade" on historic maps.
In 1926 a delegation of North Texans went to Austin to request that the old rail bed be used for a highway, since the bed was ideal for a road and was already built. The Texas Highway Department granted their request. Highway 114 from Dallas to Rhome follows the old road. A portion of the road bed near Draco-Cottondale Road is one of the best remnants of the rail bed, having never been farmed but used for grazing livestock, and still owned by descendants of W.J. Mann. It is a reminder of the impact a railroad almost had on the area.
Erected 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17671.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1889.
Location. 33° 5.645′ N,
this page online
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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Draco (approx. 0.7 miles away); Paschall (approx. 2.9 miles away); Cottondale (approx. 3 miles away); "Machine Gun" Kelley (approx. 3 miles away); Dr. M. W. Matthews (approx. 4.9 miles away); George Lafayette Ramsdale (approx. 4.9 miles away); First Christian Church of Paradise (approx. 5.1 miles away); Col. William Hudson Hunt
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 30, 2026
2. Dallas, Pacific & Southeastern Railway Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
