Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Laughter Undertaking Co.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 14, 2016

1. Laughter Undertaking Co. Marker

Inscription. Dan T. Laughter (1871-1952) first worked as an undertaker while employed in a northeast Texas furniture store. In 1900, he came to Abilene, and five years later he founded this undertaking company with his partner, C.M. Tandy. In 1908, at the flip of a coin, the firm came under the full ownership of Laughter. Until the mid-1970s, the company operated an ambulance in connection with its funeral home. Since the early years of the 20th century, Laughter Undertaking Co. has been a significant Abilene business institution.

(Lower Tablet)
Operated since 1945 by Russell and Willena North and their family; now known as North’s Funeral Home.

Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3047.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 32° 27.1′ N, 99° 44.279′ W. Marker is in Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. It can be reached from the intersection of Orange Street and N. 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 242 Orange St, Abilene TX 79601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

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 Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Weather Bureau Building (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Guitar Mansion

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(about 700 feet away); Site of Abilene's First School (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bankhead Highway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hotel Wooten (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Hotel Grace (approx. ¼ mile away); Texas & Pacific Railroad Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); The Texas & Pacific Railway (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Abilene Reporter-News (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Laughter Undertaking Co., now North's Funeral Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 14, 2016

2. Laughter Undertaking Co., now North's Funeral Home

Marker is located at front of building to the left of the entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 989 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 16, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.