Wichita Falls in Wichita County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Joseph Hudson Barwise

(November 13, 1829 - January 11, 1927)

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, November 22, 2025

1. Joseph Hudson Barwise Marker

Inscription.

A native of Ohio, Joseph Hudson Barwise brought his family to Texas in 1877 and to Wichita County in 1880. An astute businessman and community leader, he earned the nickname "Father of Wichita Falls" after he donated land to the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway as an inducement for the building of a rail line through this area. He was instrumental in much of the city's growth and development, and served as county judge for three terms. Married to the former Lucy Hansell, Barwise was the father of seven children. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery.

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2859.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 33° 54.722′ N, 98° 29.68′ W. Marker is in Wichita Falls, Texas, in Wichita County. It is at the intersection of 7th Street and Lamar Street, on the right when traveling west on 7th Street. Located at the Wichita County Courthouse on 7th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 7th Street, Wichita Falls TX 76301, 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

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of this marker: Texas Governor James V. Allred (here, next to this marker); First County Officials (here, next to this marker); The Lost Battalion (a few steps from this marker); Charlye Ola Farris (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wichita Falls Bank Robbery of 1896 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Gorsline's Fashion Livery Stable (approx. 0.2 miles away); John F. O'Donohue (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wichita Falls.

Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association article about Joseph 'Hodson' Barwise. (Submitted on August 13, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Located in front of the Wichita County Courthouse (right side of three markers). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 22, 2016

2. Located in front of the Wichita County Courthouse (right side of three markers).

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 22, 2016

3. Joseph Hudson Barwise Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 784 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.