Cross Plains in Callahan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Cross Plains Review
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 6, 2026
1. Cross Plains Review Marker
Belmont L. Shields founded the Cross Plains Review in April 1909, when the town was sited on Turkey Creek. He wanted the newspaper established before the railroad came to town, which occurred when the Texas Central arrived in 1912 and most businesses and homes moved one mile to the new townsite. After publishing for five years, shields sold the paper to L. P. Henslee, who in 1921 sold the business to three local merchants. The Review has been an important resource for citizens and a unique chronicle, recording community development and such events as the death of writer Robert E. Howard, the 2005 wildfires, and the town’s 100th anniversary. As the oldest business in Cross Plains, the Review is intertwined with the history of the community.
Erected 2015 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 18275.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1909.
Location. 32° 7.513′ N, 99° 9.887′ W. Marker is in Cross Plains, Texas, in Callahan County. It is on East 1st Street east of S Main Street (Texas Highway 206), on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. 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 Comanchería, 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: Higginbotham Brothers and Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Cross Plains Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Home of Robert E. Howard (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Fort Mason-Camp Cooper Military Road (approx. ¾ mile away); Pioneer Cemetery War Memorial (approx. 5.1 miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 5.1 miles away); Old Cottonwood Cemetery (approx. 5.8 miles away); Site of Cottonwood Springs (approx. 6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cross Plains.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Mason-Camp Cooper Military Road
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 6, 2026
2. Cross Plains Review and marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
