Sierra Blanca in Hudspeth County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
August Fransal
(August 9, 1843 July 30, 1927)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 21, 2012
1. August Fransal Marker
One of the many fearless stage drivers who traveled on the Ben Ficklin Overland Mail Line from San Antonio to El Paso. On this dangerous route, threatened by wild Apaches, Fransal regularly drove his mule-drawn stage.
He served as a Texas Ranger 1881-1882 and in 1883 under Capt. George W. Baylor. He was also a teamster at Fort Davis.
Later he was a hunter, selling fresh game (a welcome substitute for dried, cured meat) in El Paso.
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 238.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Law Enforcement • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the San Antonio-El Paso Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 31° 10.835′ N, 105° 21.062′ W. Marker is in Sierra Blanca, Texas, in Hudspeth County. It can be reached from East Brown Street 0.3 miles east of Sierra Blanca Avenue (Ranch to Market Road 1111). Marker is in cemetery at the east end of Brown Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region. It is also in the American Southwest. 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 7 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Quitman (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hudspeth County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sierra Blanca Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Killing of General J. J. Byrne (approx. 0.6 miles away); America's Second Transcontinental Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hudspeth County (approx. 0.6 miles away); Claude Hudspeth (approx. 8.7 miles away).
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 21, 2012
2. August Fransal Grave Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 21, 2012
3. August Fransal Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 692 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
