Fairfield in Freestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Butler Church Bell

(Formerly 15 miles SE)

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, January 18, 2026

1. Butler Church Bell Marker

Inscription. Said to have come from riverboat "S. A. Ruthven", which plied Trinity River until it was sunk in 1873 at Parker's Bluff. Butler Church acquired bell and used it for many years. In 1963, after the church was razed, Mrs. Clay Burkhart purchased bell, donated it to county museum in 1964.

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 9862.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 31° 43.584′ N, 96° 9.484′ W. Marker is in Fairfield, Texas, in Freestone County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Hall Street, on the right on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fairfield TX 75840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: 1881 Freestone County Jail (a few steps from this marker); Potter-Watson Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Carter Log House (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Law Office General John Gregg (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Val Verde Battery (about 600 feet away); Captain L.D. Bradley (about 700 feet away); Freestone County (about 700 feet away); The Fridolin (Fred) Fischer Home (about 800 feet away).

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Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Freestone Jail (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Butler Church Bell & Old Freestone County Jail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, July 4, 2015

2. Butler Church Bell & Old Freestone County Jail

Butler Church Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, July 4, 2015

3. Butler Church Bell

Photographed by Jim Evans, July 4, 2015

4. Butler Church Bell Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2015, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 680 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 5, 2015, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.