Hillsboro in Hill County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 14, 2012
1. Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds Marker
Inscription.
Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds. . Formed in 1901, the Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Association of Hill County acquired 73 acres of wooded land as a site for its summer reunion. The 3-5 day encampment, held annually from 1902 to 1924, was an important social and recreational event in this locality. Many families traveled by wagon and camped at the site. Special trains from Hillsboro brought other visitors, and a gravel auto road was completed in 1909. The reunion usually attracted a crowd of several thousand persons. Activities included speeches, musical programs, baseball games, and, on one occasion, a carnival midway show. Located on the grounds were a spring-fed lake, large pavilion, and baseball park. Some families leased their camp lots and built summer cottages. The fraternal picnic association's July 4th picnic, 1908-14, and other meetings and social events were also held here. With the reopening (1916) of the Hill County Fair and a decrease in numbers of veterans and old settlers, reunion attendance dropped sharply at the end of World War I (1918). The association deeded its property to the state in 1924 to be developed as Jefferson Davis State Park, but those plans were never realized.
Formed in 1901, the Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Association of Hill County acquired 73 acres of wooded land as a site for its summer reunion. The 3-5 day encampment, held annually from 1902 to 1924, was an important social and recreational event in this locality. Many families traveled by wagon and camped at the site. Special trains from Hillsboro brought other visitors, and a gravel auto road was completed in 1909. The reunion usually attracted a crowd of several thousand persons. Activities included speeches, musical programs, baseball games, and, on one occasion, a carnival midway show. Located on the grounds were a spring-fed lake, large pavilion, and baseball park. Some families leased their camp lots and built summer cottages. The fraternal picnic association's July 4th picnic, 1908-14, and other meetings and social events were also held here. With the reopening (1916) of the Hill County Fair and a decrease in numbers of veterans and old settlers, reunion attendance dropped sharply at the end of World War I (1918). The association deeded its property to the state in 1924 to be developed as Jefferson Davis State Park, but those plans were never realized.
Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1032.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
Location. 32° 0.554′ N, 97° 5.289′ W. Marker is in Hillsboro, Texas, in Hill County. Marker is on Corsicana Highway (State Highway 22) near Walnut Hill Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located opposite Hill College entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hillsboro TX 76645, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds Marker, seen near Walnut Street Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,011 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 1, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
