Mullin in Mills County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Site of the Settlement of Williams Ranch
(4 Miles South)
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 6, 2015
1. Site of the Settlement of Williams Ranch Marker
Inscription.
Site of the Settlement of Williams Ranch. (4 Miles South). Once a prominent frontier town, Williams Ranch grew up around the homestead of cattleman John Williams (1804-1871), who came to this area in 1855. The community flourished during the Civil War (1861-1865) because of trade with Mexico and by 1874 had stores, saloons, a hotel, mill, and blacksmith shop. In 1875 Henry Ford and J.M. Parks bought most of the land in the village and platted a townsite. They proposed the name “Parksford” but “Williams Ranch” prevailed when the post office opened in 1877. The community was a stagestop and a roundup point on the Western Cattle Trail. It claimed the first hotel, newspaper, telegraph, and public school in Brown and Mills counties. In 1881 it was one of the towns considered as a site for the University of Texas. Williams Ranch reached its peak of activity in the early 1880s, with a population of over 250. , The settlement began to decline when the railroad bypassed it in 1885. An outbreak of mob violence was quelled by the Texas Rangers in 1887. By 1892 the post office and all businesses had closed. Today the site is marked by the natural springs that attracted the original settlers and by Williams Ranch Cemetery, burial place of many pioneers and their descendants.
Once a prominent frontier town, Williams Ranch grew up around the homestead of cattleman John Williams (1804-1871), who came to this area in 1855. The community flourished during the Civil War (1861-1865) because of trade with Mexico and by 1874 had stores, saloons, a hotel, mill, and blacksmith shop. In 1875 Henry Ford and J.M. Parks bought most of the land in the village and platted a townsite. They proposed the name “Parksford” but “Williams Ranch” prevailed when the post office opened in 1877. The community was a stagestop and a roundup point on the Western Cattle Trail. It claimed the first hotel, newspaper, telegraph, and public school in Brown and Mills counties. In 1881 it was one of the towns considered as a site for the University of Texas. Williams Ranch reached its peak of activity in the early 1880s, with a population of over 250.
The settlement began to decline when the railroad bypassed it in 1885. An outbreak of mob violence was quelled by the Texas Rangers in 1887. By 1892 the post office and all businesses had closed. Today the site is marked by the natural springs that attracted the original settlers and by Williams Ranch Cemetery, burial place of many pioneers and their descendants.
Erected 1976 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number
Click or scan to see this page online
5426.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 31° 33.451′ N, 98° 39.677′ W. Marker is in Mullin, Texas, in Mills County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 183 and 6th Street, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 183. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mullin TX 76864, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Site of the Settlement of Williams Ranch Marker
View to south across US 183
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 6, 2015
3. View to Southeast Along US 183
Marker is on right (southwest) side of highway
Photographed By Duane Hall, October 6, 2015
4. View to Northwest Along US 183
Marker is at west corner of intersection of US 183 and 6th Street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 948 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.