Plains in Yoakum County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Yoakum County
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014
1. Yoakum County Marker
Created Aug. 21, 1876, from Bexar County. Named for Henderson Yoakum, who wrote a classic on early Texas history. Only Texas county named for an author.Indian activity and frontier hazards made growth slow. Only itinerant buffalo hunters and scattered ranchers here until after 1900. County organized Sept. 7, 1907. By 1910 population reached 602 as result of sale of state lands. Discovery of oil in 1935 brought industry and more people.
A “Bonus Shack” typical of cabins used by homesteaders is used as a historical museum in Plains, the county seat.
Erected 1965 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 5927.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 7, 1981.
Location. 33° 11.33′ N, 102° 49.758′ W. Marker is in Plains, Texas, in Yoakum County. Marker is at the intersection of Cowboy Way (U.S. 82/380) and Avenue F, on the left when traveling
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Quanah Parker Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Center Point School (approx. 9.1 miles away); Discovery Well in the Wasson Field (approx. 9.7 miles away).
Additional commentary.
1. Original Location and Inscription
The marker was originally installed in 1936 one mile east of Plains on US 380. The original marker read:
Organized September 21, 1907
Named in honor of
Henderson Yoakum
1810-1855
Author of A History of Early
Texas
A Soldier in the Mexican War
Plains, the county seat
In 1965 the marker was restored, a new inscription tablet with revised text was placed on the marker, and the marker was moved from its original location to its present location.
(Source: Monuments Erected by the State of Texas to Commemorate the Centenary of Texas Independence. Austin, Texas: Commission of Control for Texas Centennial Celebrations, 1938. Page 194.)
— Submitted July 2, 2016, by Duane Hall of 
Abilene, Texas.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014
2. Yoakum County Marker
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014
3. Bonus Shack
A "bonus shack," which was a tiny shack that settlers had to occupy a specified time in order to obtain title to land, can still be seen in Plains. It was built in 1903 and is maintained by the Tsa Mo Ga Study Club as a museum.
It appears that their may have been a marker, on the shack, at one time. Shack is at Avenue H and 12th Street.
It appears that their may have been a marker, on the shack, at one time. Shack is at Avenue H and 12th Street.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 28, 2014
4. Bonus Shack Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 958 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 6, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
