Gatesville in Coryell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Gatesville
For a few months Fort Gates served as county seat, but then Gatesville was chosen. The County's first mail line—from Gatesville to Belton—was set up in 1855. The town grew slowly at first, suffering from intermittent Indian raids, but the period from 1870 to 1882 saw great progress.
In 1870 the town was incorporated and in 1872 a courthouse was built. When St. Louis & Southwestern railroad ran a spur line to Gatesville in 1882, the citizens held a gala welcoming celebration.
With the railroad came prosperity and many new homes and businesses. A fine opera house, frontier symbol of culture, was erected and numerous civic improvements were initiated.
Today the town is the home of the Gatesville and Mountain View State schools for boys. The economy of the area is based on ranching and agriculture.
Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 2113.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 31° 26.134′ N, 97° 44.905′ W. Marker is in Gatesville, Texas, in Coryell County. Marker is at the intersection of North 8th Street and Saunders Street, on the right when traveling north on North 8th Street. In front of Gatesville City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 N 8th Street, Gatesville TX 76528, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Hammack Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Coryell County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); First Baptist Church of Gatesville (about 700 feet away); 1904 Leon River Bridge (approx. 0.8 miles away); Dr. John Calhoun Bates (approx. 0.8 miles away); Restland Cemetery Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Jesse Graham (approx. 0.9 miles away); Cotton Belt Depot (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gatesville.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2013, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 635 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2013, by QuesterMark of Fort Worth, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.