Alto in Cherokee County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Chief Bowles' Last Homesite

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, February 19, 2011

1. Chief Bowles' Last Homesite Marker

Inscription. In 1836, General Sam Houston negotiated a treaty with the Cherokees in Texas allowing possession of the lands they occupied in east Texas. The leading figure among the Cherokees at that time was Duwali (also known as Bowl, Chief Bowles and Bold Hunter). After the Texas Revolution, the Senate of the Republic of Texas declared the treaty invalid. Near this site in 1839, Chief Bowles learned of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar's orders to remove the Cherokee from Texas. Bowl mobilized his people to resist the expulsion, but they were defeated and the chief was killed at the Battle of the Neches on July 16, 1839, in what is now Van Zandt County.

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12568.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is July 16, 1839.

Location. 31° 40.938′ N, 95° 5.386′ W. Marker is in Alto, Texas, in Cherokee County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 69 and County Road 2405, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 69. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area:

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Alto TX 75925, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Stella Salmon Hill (approx. 2.2 miles away); Robert F. Mitchell (approx. 2.2 miles away); Camp Alto, World War II Prisoner of War Camp (approx. 2.2 miles away); Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 2.4 miles away); Terrell Lodge No. 83 A.F. & A.M. (approx. 2.4 miles away); A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Site of the Delaware Indian Village (approx. 3.1 miles away); Site of Lacy's Fort (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alto.

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, February 19, 2011

2. Chief Bowles' Last Homesite Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2011, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,654 times since then and 216 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 4, 2011, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.