Gainesville in Cooke County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Barbed Wire in Cooke County

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

1. Barbed Wire in Cooke County Marker

Inscription. The development of barbed wire fencing had a revolutionary impact on the economy and settlement pattern in Texas. In 1874, Joseph Glidden of Illinois received a patent for his barbed wire. By 1875, Henry B. Sanborn had come to North Texas as Glidden's barbed wire salesman. Cleaves & Fletcher Hardware, once located at this site, and other Gainesville businesses began to stock Glidden's Barbed Wire as it came into demand by Texas ranchers. Sanborn's 1875 transaction with Cleaves & Fletcher may represent the earliest sale of two-stranded modern barbed wire in Texas. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

Erected 1986 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 301.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 33° 37.45′ N, 97° 8.675′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Texas, in Cooke County. It is at the intersection of East California Street (State Highway 51) and South Rusk Street, on the left when traveling west on East California Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 East California Street, Gainesville TX 76240, 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: Gainesville National Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Cooke County Courthouse (about 300 feet away,

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measured in a direct line); The Old California Trail (about 400 feet away); Old City Hall-Fire Station (about 500 feet away); Cooke County Free Library (about 700 feet away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saint Paul's Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Potter-Hurley House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gainesville.

Also see . . . Texas Historical Association article on Barbed Wire in Texas. (Submitted on August 11, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Barbed Wire in Cooke County Marker at corner near bank. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

2. Barbed Wire in Cooke County Marker at corner near bank.

Joseph Glidden, Inventor of Barbed Wire image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

3. Joseph Glidden, Inventor of Barbed Wire

Portrait in Prairie Farmer magazine, 1884

Photographed by Gary Estep, January 9, 2026

4. Barbed Wire in Cooke County Marker

Restored marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 938 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on January 9, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas.