Near Belton in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Wilson Van Dyke

(Dec 25, 1817 - Aug. 3, 1881)

Photographed By Keith Peterson, February 2, 2008

1. Wilson Van Dyke Marker

Inscription. A native of South Carolina, Wilson Van Dyke served as a member of the Somervell Expedition, which was organized in 1842 to expel the Mexican Army from Texas. Under command of Col. W.S. Fisher, he crossed the Rio Grande and was captured. A survivor of the "Black Bean Episode", Van Dyke was imprisoned near Mexico City until Sept. 1844. He later participated in muster activities during the Civil War and died at his home in Bell County.

Erected 1984 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5859.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Law Enforcement • Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American • War, Texas Independence • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 31° 1.115′ N, 97° 29.026′ W. Marker is near Belton, Texas, in Bell County. Marker is on Mesquite Rd, 0.1 miles north of Shanklin Road. Located in the Rest Haven Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belton TX 76513, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bell County (approx. 1.1 miles away); Little River Fort (approx. 1.1 miles away); Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Planing Mill (approx. 1.7 miles away); Muehlhause House

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(approx. 2½ miles away); Confederate Bell County (approx. 2½ miles away); South Belton Cemetery (approx. 2.6 miles away); Mrs. Sarah Ann Hardin-Kelton (approx. 2.6 miles away); Belton Farmers Co-op Gin (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belton.

Wilson Van Dyke Gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Keith Peterson, February 2, 2008

2. Wilson Van Dyke Gravestone

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,688 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 31, 2010, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.