Uvalde in Uvalde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Early Texas Wagon Yards
Photographed By William F Haenn, April 15, 2013
1. Early Texas Wagon Yards Marker
Places of shelter for drivers, teams and wagons. Here travelers could cook bacon, eggs, beans, coffee; talk with friends and strangers. For people from the country, a wagon yard was both a hotel and a social center. Usually it was an open area flanked by a shed, stalls and feed rooms. It might cover a city block, and charges were 25˘ to $1.00 a day.Drivers pulled into yards, cared for teams, found cooking and sleeping space. Men or families might stay for weeks, await kin or goods coming by train or stage. Amusements were practical jokes, gossip, games, music by fiddle, guitar, harmonica. Young boys overcame bashfulness, learned to dance, roller skate, whip bullies. The yard was center for trading goods and horses; obtaining advice on travel, work, weather. Some yards were stops for stages and freighters.
A block west of this site was wagon yard of F.A. Piper Company (predecessor of Horner's Store). Like many Texas merchants, Piper built and ran the wagon yard to aid customers, who used it free of charge.
Modern transportation has made the wagon yard a relic of the past, but it has a secure place in the history
this page online
Erected 1966 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1358.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the San Antonio-El Paso Road series list.
Location. 29° 12.58′ N, 99° 47.184′ W. Marker is in Uvalde, Texas, in Uvalde County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 90) and Noth Getty Street (U.S. 83), on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Uvalde TX 78801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Inge, Camp Dix, C.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Uvalde County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Uvalde County (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Opera House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kincaid Hotel (about 300 feet away); The Uvalde "Leader-News" (about 400 feet away); Reading Wood Black (about 400 feet away); Rice Hotel and Saddlery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Uvalde.
Photographed By William F Haenn, April 15, 2013
2. Early Texas Wagon Yards Marker Site
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2013, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. This page has been viewed 545 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2013, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
