Near Baird in Callahan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Belle Plaine College

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 14, 2014

1. Site of Belle Plaine College Marker

Inscription. Early college of west Texas. Founded in 1881 by Methodist Church. Enrollment reached peak of 300 and students attended from throughout the region.

College developed a superior course of study with special strength in music. It had an orchestra and a brass band.

A girl’s dormitory was built soon after founding and in 1885 a 3-story stone building was erected. School also had a military branch in town. Pupils wore blue and gray uniforms.

After town lost both county seat and many citizens to Baird, 1883, college eventually closed.

Erected 1969. (Marker Number 4729.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 32° 18.653′ N, 99° 21.656′ W. Marker is near Baird, Texas, in Callahan County. Marker is on County Road 471, 0.4 miles east of County Road 483, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baird TX 79504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Belle Plain (here, next to this marker); Site of John D. Merchant Home (here, next to this marker); William Jeff Maltby (approx. 1.7 miles away); Belle Plaine Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away);

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a different marker also named Belle Plaine Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Admiral Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 4 miles away); Admiral Baptist Church (approx. 4 miles away); Site of Callahan City (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baird.

Also see . . . Belle Plain - Texas Escapes. Includes recent and historic photographs of the college. (Submitted on November 22, 2014.)

Additional commentary.
1. Belle Plaine College Buildings
The remnants of the college buildings are on private property and are not accessible to the public. They may be viewed from County Road 471 west of the marker.

— Submitted November 22, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.

2. Marker Number
Although there are no indications that this is a state historical marker, the Texas Historical Commission has assigned Marker Number 4729 to this marker.

— Submitted November 25, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.

Belle Plain Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 14, 2014

2. Belle Plain Markers

View to West Along County Road 471 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 14, 2014

3. View to West Along County Road 471

View to East Along County Road 471 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 14, 2014

4. View to East Along County Road 471

Markers are located at bend of County Road 471

Remnants of Belle Plaine College image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 14, 2014

5. Remnants of Belle Plaine College

View to south from County Road 471

Belle Plaine College Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 14, 2014

6. Belle Plaine College Building

View to south from County Road 471

Residence of Dean of Belle Plaine College image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, November 14, 2014

7. Residence of Dean of Belle Plaine College

View from County Road 471

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 22, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.