Winona in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Starrville Community

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, January 18, 2016

1. Starrville Community Marker

Inscription. In 1852 the Rev. Joshua Starr, a Methodist minister from Alabama, bought 640 acres of land here on the Dallas-Shreveport Road. Platting Starrville, one of the earliest towns in Smith County, he sold lots with deed covenants against gambling and liquor. In 1853 he helped organize Starr Lodge No. 118, A.F.&A.M.; Methodists and Masons shared a 2-story building which the church bought from Starr in 1854. The post office was moved from nearby Gum Spring to Starrville in 1857. The town thrived with stores and overnight lodgings for freighters. It had grist mills, sawmills, foundries, and a wagon factory; music teachers, dentists, physicians, photographers. Its churches and schools were highly influential. The Methodists supported a female high school; the Baptists founded Ann Judson Female School. A Union academy, male high school, and female college also existed before the Civil War (1861-65).

Bypassing of Starrville by the Tyler Tap Railroad in the 1870s brought population losses. In 1907 the post office and the Masonic Lodge were removed to Winona. The schools of Starrville and Baker Springs were consolidated in 1924, and later were merged with the Winona public school system.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7760.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 32° 28.18′ N, 95° 6.947′ W. Marker is in Winona, Texas, in Smith County. It is at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 16E and Farm to Market Road 757, on the right when traveling east on Road 16E. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winona TX 75792, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Starrville Community Center (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Baptist Church of Winona (approx. 3.4 miles away); Elisha Everett Lott (approx. 3½ miles away); The Kay House (approx. 4.1 miles away); Pinkston Cemetery (approx. 4½ miles away); Nicholas Wren 1807-1859 (approx. 5.9 miles away); Harris Creek Cemetery (approx. 5.9 miles away); Scouts of Texas Army (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winona.

Other markers no longer nearby. Camp Fannin Internment Camp (was approx. 5.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Camp Fannin (was approx. 5.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Starrville Community. The Community is on the original route of the Dallas-Shreveport road,

Starrville Community Marker and town well image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, January 18, 2016

2. Starrville Community Marker and town well

The well reportedly dates back to the establishment of the community, and is located on what was the platted town square.

that dates back to 1842. It was also a crossroads of the Walter's Bluff and Omen road, with Walter's Bluff being a ferry and crossing on the Sabine River, about three miles north of Starrville.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2016, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,009 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2016, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.