Temple in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
City of Temple
Founded in 1881, on the Santa Fe line, Temple, like dozens of Texas towns, owed its beginning to the railroad and was, in fact, named for a Santa Fe official, B.M. Temple. On June 29, 1881, a gala town lot sale, with free barbecue, was held by promoters. In 1882, the Missouri Kansas, & Texas built through and soon after, Santa Fe made Temple a division point.
For some time, however, Temple was a town of shacks and tents with the usual large number of saloons and tough characters found in the early West. Locally, it was called “Tanglefoot”, because some citizens found that the combination of muddy streets and liquor made walking rather difficult at times.
In 1882, the town was incorporated and two private schools began. The Temple Academy was soon organized and a public school was established in 1884.
In 1893, the annual Temple “Stag Party” began, growing out of a private Thanksgiving celebration attended by the town’s leading men. It was held until 1923.
Today Temple is known as a major hospital center of the South, for located here are Santa Fe Hospital (founded 1891), King’s Daughters Hospital (1896), the Scott and White Hospital (1904), and the Veterans Administration (formerly McCloskey) Hospital.
Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5224.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 31° 5.836′ N, 97° 20.47′ W. Marker is in Temple, Texas, in Bell County. Marker is at the intersection of N. Main Street and Adams Avenue (Texas Highway 53), on the left when traveling north on N. Main Street. Marker is in front of the Temple City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 N Main St, Temple TX 76501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Organization of the Texas Forestry Association (here, next to this marker); Pool of Tears Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Temple Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Knob Creek Lodge No. 401 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First United Methodist Church Of Temple (about 500 feet away); Site of 42nd Reunion of Hood's Texas Brigade (about 500 feet away); Christ Episcopal Church of Temple (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bernard Moore Temple (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Temple.
Also see . . . Temple, TX. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on October 26, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 527 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 26, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.