Decatur in Wise County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Colonel Absalom Bishop
Bishop built a mercantile store which would eventually be used as a temporary post office and stage stop on the Butterfield Overland Stage Line. The Colonel along with other Wise County residents convinced the Butterfield Overland Stage Line owners to relocate their route to run through Decatur and on to Bridgeport. In order to do so, they oversaw the building of bridges over Denton Creek, Sandy Creek and the West Fork of the Trinity River. By doing so, commerce increased and stage travel from Decatur to Austin also became a reality. Colonel Absalom Bishop passed away on November 30, 1883, and was buried alongside his wife in Oaklawn Cemetery. Bishop, called "The Father of Wise County and Decatur," was a colorful figure who brought to Texas a broad range of experience that allowed him to help mold a raw and wild land into a bustling town and new county.
(Addendum plate on reverse)
Sponsored by
GFWC - TFWC
Decatur Woman's Club
Erected 2014 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17980.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1883.
Location. 33° 14.072′ N, 97° 35.226′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Texas, in Wise County. Marker is at the intersection of West Walnut Street and North State Street, on the right when traveling east on West Walnut Street. Marker is at the Northwest Corner of the Wise County Courthouse, near the intersection of Walnut and State Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 North Trinity Street, Decatur TX 76234, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wise County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Wise County C.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain George W. Stevens (within shouting distance of this marker); Randolph Vesey (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Vernon Terrell (within shouting distance of this marker); Wise County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Chisholm Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Depression-Era Projects in Wise County (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.
Also see . . . Bishop, Absalom - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on August 29, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2017, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. This page has been viewed 466 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.