Big Spring in Howard County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Seventh Earl of Aylesford

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017

1. The Seventh Earl of Aylesford Marker

Inscription. Joseph Heneage Finch (b.1849), an English nobleman, left his ancestral home in 1883 after a scandalous divorce. Attracted by cheap land and good hunting, the Earl of Aylesford came to Texas and settled on six sections in Howard County. His generosity and tales of hunts with the Prince of Wales intrigued local cowboys. A lavish host, he bought a saloon for one day to provide free drinks for friends. When his hunting lodge burned, he purchased the Cosmopolitan Hotel, located at this site. He died here in 1885 and was buried on his English estate, Packington Hall.

Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14107.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 32° 15.174′ N, 101° 28.558′ W. Marker is in Big Spring, Texas, in Howard County. Marker is on East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 East 3rd Street, Big Spring TX 79720, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Settles Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Howard County (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Historical Big Spring Meat Market (about 500 feet away); Big Spring Hardware Company (about 600 feet away); First National Bank in Big Spring (about 600 feet away); The J. & W. Fisher Company

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(about 700 feet away); Potton House (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Thomas Catholic Church (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Spring.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017

2. The Seventh Earl of Aylesford Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 12, 2017

3. The Seventh Earl of Aylesford Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 477 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.