Near Mingus in Erath County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Hotel Knox and Thurber Mining Office

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 8, 2016

1. Site of Hotel Knox and Thurber Mining Office Marker

Inscription. The Texas and Pacific Coal Company built the first-class Hotel Knox about 1895. In addition to serving out-of-town guests, it was a social center in Thurber and home to many of the town’s white collar workers, including store clerks and staff of the adjacent mining office where general manager William Knox Gordon maintained his headquarters. The Hotel Knox burned in 1907 and was replaced by the Plummer Hotel. Although the town was dismantled in the 1930s, ruins of the mining office were still visible decades later.

Erected 1995 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4814.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 32° 30.461′ N, 98° 25.073′ W. Marker is near Mingus, Texas, in Erath County. It is on State Highway 108 0.1 miles north of Interstate 20, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mingus TX 76463, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

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: Thurber (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Evolution of an Oil Company (about 600 feet away); New York Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Thurber Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Barbara's Catholic Church

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Thurber's First Coal Mine (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Thurber Brick Plant (approx. ¼ mile away); Whitehead Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mingus.

Photographed by Gary Estep, January 3, 2026

2. Site of Hotel Knox and Thurber Mining Office Marker

Restored

Marker at Site of Hotel Knox image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 8, 2016

3. Marker at Site of Hotel Knox

View to Southeast towards Interstate 20 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, September 8, 2016

4. View to Southeast towards Interstate 20

Site of Thurber Mining Office is to left of marker
Ruins of the building foundation may be viewed from the fence

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 775 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 2. submitted on January 3, 2026, by Gary Estep of Anna, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on October 6, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.