Holliday in Archer County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Maggie and Herod "Pap" Simpson
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2016
1. Maggie and Herod "Pap" Simpson Marker
The town of Holliday was officially organized near Holliday Creek in 1890, when the city was platted. The Wichita Valley Railway was built through the area, and a post office was established. In that same year, Maggie Elizabeth Holt and H.W. Simpson were married in Archer County. Herod Michael Simpson was born to the couple on August 1, 1892. In 1894, H.W. Simpson left with a crew to drive cattle to Dodge City, Kansas, and was never heard from again. Maggie Simpson remained in Holliday, where in 1907 she purchased a hotel, which she owned and managed until her death on June 18, 1946. Herod M. Simpson died on January 23, 1963. Both were interred at Holliday Cemetery.
Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14861.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 33° 48.876′ N, 98° 41.669′ W. Marker is in Holliday, Texas, in Archer County. Marker is on South Main Street (Farm to Market Road 368) 0.1 miles south of Olive Street (Business U.S. 277), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the southeast corner of a dilapidated sheet
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Captain John Holliday (approx. 1.8 miles away); Camp Stonewall Jackson (approx. 1.9 miles away); Dad's Corner (approx. 4.7 miles away); Geraldine (approx. 7.1 miles away); Wichita Falls Lodge No. 635, A.F. & A.M. (approx. 8.2 miles away); Call Field (approx. 9.1 miles away); The Old Buffalo Road (approx. 9.2 miles away); Archer County Copper Mines (approx. 11.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Holliday.
Regarding Maggie and Herod "Pap" Simpson. After her husband's disappearance, Maggie began teaching at the Lone Star School which was located on the John Thomas homeplace in Holliday. "Auntie" which she was affectionately known, would wrap Herod in a blanket and place him under her feet as she drove her horse and buggy to school. This arrangement allowed him to start school at the age of five and for his Mother to be his teacher. The salary for teaching was $25 per month. Due to the diligence and integrity of his Mother, Herod was a well educated person. She sent him to high school in Byers and then to college in Decatur, Texas. He spent his lifetime and a lot of money trying to find his Father, but
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2016
2. Maggie and Herod "Pap" Simpson Marker (wide view; marker visible at corner of building)
Also see . . . Maggie Holt Simpson: History of a teacher turned entrepreneur. Archer County Museum & Arts Center website entry (Submitted on April 3, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
