On U.S. 80, 2 miles east of State Highway 69, on the right when traveling east.
In 1867 a group of African American men and women laid the foundations for Freetown. William, John, Albert, George, Richard, and Peter Collins; Susan and Lawrence Moore; Thomas Jeffries; the children of John Jeffries; and Louisa Conway and her . . . — — Map (db m38192) HM
On Oak Grove Road, 0.1 miles west of Alabama Route 69, on the right when traveling west.
Tuskegee educator Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, Sears, Roebuck & Company president, initiated one of the most ambitiuous school building programs for African Americans in the United States. The Oak Grove School is one example of the . . . — — Map (db m83753) HM
On Erwin Street at Tuscaloosa Street, on the left when traveling west on Erwin Street.
Built in 1837 by Col. John Erwin, wealthy lawyer and planter. Architects and contractors were from Philadelphia. It has been continuously occupied by the Erwin family and is now the home of Katherine Mahood Rugg, great great-granddaughter of Col. . . . — — Map (db m203647) HM
On Main Street at Ward Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Built in 1828-29 by John Gayle,
sixth governor of Alabama.
Birthplace of
Amelia Gayle Gorgas,
wife of Gen. Josiah Gorgas,
Chief of Ordnance, CSA,
mother of Wm. Crawford Gorgas,
US Surgeon General who freed
Canal Zone of yellow fever. . . . — — Map (db m83754) HM
On Main Street at Demopolis Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street.
Organized 1823 by Rev. James Hillhouse
of South Carolina, with
Patrick Norris and William Hillhouse,
veterans of American Revolution,
as founding elders.
Original wooden structure replaced
by brick building in 1841
under pastorate . . . — — Map (db m33746) HM
On Hobson Street at Main Street, on the left when traveling north on Hobson Street.
Birthplace, ancestral home of
Richard Pearson Hobson
1870-1937
Spanish-American War Hero
Admiral Hobson, as naval officer,
statesman, lecturer and author,
urged national preparedness:
championed human welfare . . . — — Map (db m83755) HM
On State Street (Alabama Route 69) at Amory Street on State Street.
Merged in 1918 as part of
Birmingham Southern College.
Founded here in 1856
by Methodist Church.
Weathered War and Reconstruction
to prosper in late 1800’s.
Moved to Birmingham in 1918
on merger with Birmingham College,
founded in . . . — — Map (db m83756) HM
On Church Street at South Street, on the right when traveling south on Church Street.
This parish established 1830.
Third oldest in Alabama diocese.
Church consecrated in 1843 by
Leonidas Polk, Bishop of Louisiana,
(later a Confederate general).
Here Nicholas H. Cobbs was chosen
first Bishop of Alabama in 1844. . . . — — Map (db m33747) HM
On Alabama Route 61 at State Street (Alabama Route 14), on the right when traveling north on State Route 61.
was founded here at Salem Church
by 15 messengers from seven
missionary societies.
They met to promote missions,
education and closer cooperation
among Baptist churches of Alabama. — — Map (db m203651) HM
On Alabama Route 60 at County Road 59, on the right when traveling east on State Route 60.
One of state's notable academies.
Called “Rugby” of the South.
It prepared exceptional number
of Alabama leaders.
Founded by Dr. Henry Tutwiler,
one of state's foremost educators.
Closed upon his death.
One of first schools to . . . — — Map (db m203636) HM
Near Mound State Parkway, 1.5 miles west of Alabama Route 69.
Imagine a clan chief 800 years
ago standing exactly where
you are. It's possible he would
see something resembling this
artist's rendering. Larger
mounds, like this one, dotted
the plaza's perimeter, serving
as elevated platforms for . . . — — Map (db m144752) HM
Near River Bank Road, 0.3 miles west of Mound Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
Before you is Mound V, a broad, low, rectangular platform that forms an apron to Mound B at your left. Until recently, scientists knew only that Mound V's function was somehow intimately tied to Mound B upon which the principal chief's house stood. . . . — — Map (db m144777) HM
On River Bank Road, 0.5 miles north of Mound Parkway, on the left when traveling north.
At least 29 mounds were built and used as platforms for important structures at Moundville. Their rectangular arrangement, roughly aligned with the four directions around a central plaza, shows us that these people planned this site before they . . . — — Map (db m144811) HM
Near River Bank Road, 0.3 miles west of Mound Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
The mound in front of you probably once served as a platform for the principal chief's house. The noble who lived there was an extremely important political and religious figure. It is likely that this chief claimed to have divine relationships with . . . — — Map (db m144808) HM
On Mound Parkway at State Highway 69, on the right when traveling west on Mound Parkway.
Site of a prehistoric Native American political and ceremonial center from about A. D. 1100-1500 that, at its height in the 13th century, was America’s largest community north of Mexico. Between 1,000 and 3,000 people lived in this town fortified . . . — — Map (db m30700) HM
On Mound Parkway, 0.6 miles west of Alabama Route 69, on the right when traveling west.
I do not think in the Southern States there is a group of Mounds to compare to Moundville, in the arrangement and state of preservation of the mounds.
- Clarence B. Moore, amateur archaeologist, 1910
Spanning more than . . . — — Map (db m144745) HM
On Mound Parkway, 0.6 miles west of Alabama Route 69, on the right when traveling north.
Welcome to Moundville Archaeological Park, the best preserved site of its kind in
North America. At its height, Moundville was the largest and most powerful political
and religious center in the Southeast. Nobles at Moundville ruled over thousands . . . — — Map (db m144759) HM
On River Bank Road, 0.3 miles west of Mound Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
The mounds you see here were built in a very orderly arrangement over the course of about 100 years. Surrounding them was an immense wall constructed from tens of thousands of logs. How did the rulers harness the manpower and allegiance of the . . . — — Map (db m144774) HM
Near River Bank Road, 0.3 miles west of Mound Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
The mounds you see here were built in a very orderly arrangement over the course of about 100 years. Surrounding them was an immense wall constructed from tens of thousands of logs. How did the rulers harness the manpower and allegiance of the . . . — — Map (db m144809) HM
Near River Bank Road, 0.9 miles west of Mound Parkway.
Rival Mississippian chiefdoms constantly threatened one another. Warfare was a way of life for most men. By proving their valor militarily, warriors probably increased their overall status as they were promoted up through the ranks. One theory . . . — — Map (db m144815) HM
Near River Bank Road, on the right when traveling south.
The Civilian Conservation Corps was born during the turmoil of the Great Depression. Hundreds of thousands of young men were out of work, and wasteful exploitation of the environment had devoured millions of acres across America. In 1933, as part of . . . — — Map (db m144813) HM
On Alabama Route 61 south of Beech Street, on the right when traveling south.
Rev. J. Bancroft, presiding elder, and Rev. J. A. Moore, minister. called meeting of members in 1883 including the names: Hobson, Holcroft, Walker, Scott, Huggins, Moore, True, Sadler. Turpin.
Building committee consisted of Mr. Will Sadler, Mr. . . . — — Map (db m203655) HM
On Alabama Route 61 at Beech Street, on the right when traveling south on State Route 61.
Church organized in 1848
by Rev. Thomas Chilton.
(See other side for charter members)
Sanctuary stands as built in 1849
with original columns of solid poplar.
Education building added in 1959.
Baptist . . . — — Map (db m203652) HM
On Alabama Route 61 at Cemetery Street, on the right when traveling north on State Route 61.
Organized November 16, 1844 under Presbytery of South Alabama by the Rev. Thomas Witherspoon and 21 charter members.
Petition to Presbytery signed by T. A. Borden, Anne Borden, Wm. Ervin, Eliza Ervin, Mrs. Rebeccah Hanna, A. & S. Hardin, Mrs. . . . — — Map (db m203657) HM
On County Road 12 west of State Route 69, on the right when traveling west. Reported damaged.
Discover of the antibiotic, Aureomycin
Son of a beloved country doctor, he carried a dedicated spirit to the frontiers of science
Having won degrees at Alabama, Auburn, Missouri, Harvard and Cornell, he taught at Cornell, . . . — — Map (db m38191) HM
On County Road 12 west of State Highway 69, on the right when traveling west.
1834 - Organized as mission by Rev. Caleb S. Ives for settlers coming here to the Canebrake from Atlantic Seaboard
1844 - made parish of Diocese of Alabama
1851 - this site selected
1853-54 - this building erected — — Map (db m38188) HM
On Highway T north of Highway 325, on the right when traveling north.
The only landmark of the Strip Community, named for its location on a 1.5 by 15-mile strip of land opened to homesteaders in the 1890s. William Houston Pearce (1844-1926) moved into the area in 1895 and started a school, called "Round-Top", or . . . — — Map (db m240486) HM
On Avenue D (Texas Route 369) at 8th Street, on the right when traveling north on Avenue D.
The Comanches and other tribes traveled Blackwater Draw, 3 miles west of Abernathy, through 1874.
Arrow sculptor: Charles A. Smith — — Map (db m155152) HM
Fritz W. Struve (1877-1959) came here from Burnet County in 1912, 3 years after city was founded, started a grocery store; was joined by brother Ben F. (1879-1947) in 1918. Family operated wide variety of businesses vital to the early economic . . . — — Map (db m152061) HM
Founded when Santa Fe Railroad was extended from Plainview to Lubbock, 1909. Named for Monroe G. Abernathy (1868-1962), treasurer of South Plains Investment Company, firm which promoted townsite. Community prospered, becoming a major railhead for . . . — — Map (db m152062) HM
Attracted by abundant water from Running Water Draw, J. W. and T. W. Morrison established a ranch in 1881 with headquarters about ten miles west of here. Most of the early settlers in this region worked for the ranch. Later, several partners . . . — — Map (db m170933) HM
Early settlers to Hale County referred to the territory west of Hale Center (9 mi. E) as the Center Plains community. A cemetery and a schoolhouse, established to serve the vast area, were located at this site on property donated by William S. . . . — — Map (db m152057) HM
On West 6th Street at Avenue H, on the right when traveling east on West 6th Street.
Organized religion in Hale County can be traced to 1883, when Methodist minister Horatio Graves and his family became the first permanent settlers of the area. Their home became a community gathering place, school, and Union church. A post office . . . — — Map (db m91325) HM
On Main Street at East Clevland Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Son of a rancher and Texas Ranger, J. Frank Norfleet was born in Lampasas County. With little schooling, he grew up working on ranches. He served as foreman for 20 years on the Spade Ranch.
Norfleet married Mattie Eliza Hudgins . . . — — Map (db m91329) HM
On West 6th Street, on the left when traveling east.
In the late 1880s Swedish born Nils Akeson moved from Iowa to this sparsely populated area of north Texas. As an officer of the Hale County Townsite Company Nils helped establish the town of Hale Center. He worked for the famous XIT Ranch from 1893 . . . — — Map (db m91326) HM
Pioneer ranchers began to settle Hale County in the early 1880s. Land was plentiful and cheap, but life was hard. Many settlers lived in dugouts. Supplies were freighted from Colorado City until the railroad reached Amarillo. Cattle roamed the free . . . — — Map (db m91324) HM
On Main Street at East Clevland Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
First settlement in county. Established as a post office in 1884 by Horatio Graves of New York, a Methodist minister. Then only county resident, he planned to found religious colony here; named place for Epworth, England, birthplace of John . . . — — Map (db m91328) HM
Early settlers in this area kept in touch with the world by picking up their mail at railheads. Federal mail delivery to post offices began when W. L. Tharp took a route from the new railroad town of Amarillo to Plainview and Estacado in July and . . . — — Map (db m152058) HM
First established, Sept. 9, 1891, as a rural post office about 5 miles northeast, at the home of Capt. Zack Peters, whose wife, Margaret, was postmaster. Ed M. White built first house at present site, about 1895. When Peters family moved from . . . — — Map (db m152064) HM
On Farm to Market Road 789, 0.2 miles south of Farm to Market Road 150, on the left when traveling south.
Much of this rural community's early social and religious history is closely associated with its schoolhouses. Area residents built their first schoolhouse in 1903, one year after organizing a rural school district. Named for trustee John Bell, the . . . — — Map (db m104524) HM
On El Paso Street, on the right when traveling south.
When J.W. Pipkin constructed this Colonial Revival residence in 1910, Plainview was experiencing a period of dramatic economic development as a railroad center. In 1918 the home was purchased by F.E. Blasingame and his wife Mary (Rimes). For over . . . — — Map (db m91242) HM
On Broadway Street at East 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Broadway Street.
First native-born cattle king of Texas. Eldest of several rancher brothers. At age 12 "made a hand" on East Texas ranch of father, Rev. Geo. W. Slaughter. By 17 made his own trades in lumber, wheat, cattle.
In 1856 moved his cattle to Palo Pinto . . . — — Map (db m91266) HM
On Joliet Street, 0.2 miles south of West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south.
The first of this distinctive type of early man dart point was found by 15-year-old Val Keene Whitacre in 1941, in a caliche quarry on Running Water Draw. In 1944, quarry workers uncovered a fossil bone deposit, which was noted by scientists . . . — — Map (db m155149) HM
On West 7th Street west of Quincy Street, in the median.
James H. Wayland, born in Missouri, decided to be a physician after he almost lost a foot at 16 in an accident. He studied at Kentucky School of Medicine, then came to Texas. After practicing in Fort Worth and Azle, he moved to the new town of . . . — — Map (db m91205) HM
One of co-founders, City of Plainview. Born in Mississippi. In Louisiana, married Virginia Archer. Studied law, joined Bar in Arkansas, served 1879-81 in Arkansas Legislature. In 1880s came to Texas; his wife died en route, while wagon train halted . . . — — Map (db m91299) HM
Born in Lynnville, Tenn.; moved to Texas with parents, Jasper N. and Mary A. (Calvert) Grigsby, 1883. Graduated from college, became a teacher, married Samuel W. Meharg. Came to Plainview (1902), where she and husband were educators. She helped . . . — — Map (db m91297) HM
On Interstate 27 Frontage Road, 0.2 miles south of Farm to Market Road 788, on the right when traveling south.
In the late 1930s, area aviation enthusiasts organized Plainview
Flying Club, acquiring a two-seat Aeronca Chief with a 65-horsepower engine. Their first site was six miles south of
Plainview, later moving north of Plainview near Finney Switch. . . . — — Map (db m246392) HM
On West 8th Street at North Austin Street, on the right when traveling east on West 8th Street.
Organized on November 23, 1890, Plainview Baptist Church began with eleven charter members. The new congregation called the Rev. I.B. Kimbrough as pastor, and they soon erected their first church building at the intersection of Austin and Fourth . . . — — Map (db m91248) HM
Original administration building of Wayland Baptist College.
Site (in town founded in 1887) given by J. H. Wayland, a physician settling here 1891.
Built 1909-1910, in term of first President, Dr. I. E. Gates, for whom it is named. . . . — — Map (db m91207) HM
On East 5th Street at Broadway Street, on the right when traveling west on East 5th Street.
Stretching onward toward the sunset, o'er prairie, hill and vale, far beyond the double mountains winds the Old MacKenzie Trail.
Ah, what thoughts and border memories does that dreaming trail suggest; thoughts of travelers gone forever to the . . . — — Map (db m91267) HM
On East 5th Street, on the left when traveling east.
Founded by George Emmett Green (1875-1960), whose work revolutionized Texas agriculture. Mechanically-gifted, Green mastered water well development, worked as pattern maker and draftsman in pump factories, and operated a plant of his . . . — — Map (db m91275) HM
On U.S. 70 east of Farm to Market Road 1070, on the right when traveling east.
Settlers came to this area seeking abundant grass, fertile soil, and water. This site, acquired by R. L. Hooper (1872-1952) and his wife Ada Mae (Hughley) (1880-1955) in the 1890s, received its name because it stood "halfway" between Olton and . . . — — Map (db m104522) HM
Attracted by the availability of inexpensive land and a healthful climate, the families of J. T. Matsler, S. M. Pearson, W. P. Long, J. H. Calvert, J. V. Neil and others began settling this part of Hale County about 1890. They engaged in ranching . . . — — Map (db m152055) HM
On East 5th Street at North Date Street, on the right when traveling east on East 5th Street.
The first Plainview schoolhouse was built in 1887, the year the town was founded. Located northwest of this site, it was a half-dugout sod building similar to many of the pioneer homes of the area. Built by local men under the supervision of Judge . . . — — Map (db m91274) HM
On Interstate 27 Frontage Road at County Route 40, on the right when traveling north on Interstate 27.
In 1887 Joseph B. Leach and his brothers, John and Dee, immigrated to this area from Liberty, Kentucky. Joseph filed on a 160-acre homestead and built a half-dugout and sod house and a windmill. The Leach brothers often hauled freight for Plainview . . . — — Map (db m91332) HM
On South Joliet Street, on the right when traveling south.
Plainview Cemetery
and Memorial Park
Established c. 1909
Historic Texas Cemetery – 2011
Marker is property of the State of Texas — — Map (db m91296) HM
On Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north.
Originally known as the "Hale County Hesperian," this newspaper was established in the late 1880s by D.B. Hill and John Davidson. In 1891 John Minor Shafer, an early Plainview area settler, became the owner and publisher. The newspaper remained a . . . — — Map (db m91247) HM
An Austin native and graduate of the Texas Military Institute, R.P. Smyth became a Brigadier General after Spanish American War duty. As a surveyor, he ran boundaries (1887) of the Two Buckle and other South Plains ranches and platted towns of . . . — — Map (db m91298) HM
On East 7th Street at Ash Street, on the right when traveling east on East 7th Street.
Businessman Levi Schick (1855-1936) launched the Schick Opera House in this building on Oct. 11, 1909. A traveling opera company opened the facility with a performance of "Little Dollie Dimples". Later attractions included vaudeville . . . — — Map (db m91250) HM
On West 7th Street, on the right when traveling east.
Original buildings erected in 1906-07. The school opened September 18, 1907, as Central Plains College and Conservatory of Music, with Dr. L.L. Gladney as president. The Nazarene Church maintained the college until 1910, when it was purchased by the . . . — — Map (db m91240) HM
On West 12th Street at Broadway Street, on the left when traveling east on West 12th Street.
The City of Plainview, founded in the 1880s, sought agricultural supremacy for its trade area. Civic leaders pioneered irrigated farming in 1911 by boring the first of many deep water wells. In 1912, Texas Land & Development Co. installed a . . . — — Map (db m91244) HM
On Farm to Market Road 400 north of Farm to Market Road 145, on the left when traveling north.
Born in Illinois, Mennonite minister and farmer Peter B. Snyder (1864-1948) was living in Minnesota when a search for inexpensive land led him to Texas. In 1906, he bought property in Hale County from John H. Buntin and urged other . . . — — Map (db m91330) HM
On Broadway Street at 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on Broadway Street.
Unique agricultural pioneer. Founded in 1912 by J.W. Grant and M.D. Henderson, who obtained Eastern and European capital to develop 65,000 acres of Hale, Floyd and Swisher county lands. This area became one of the most productive in America, because . . . — — Map (db m91249) HM
On Cedar Street south of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south.
At this site in early days stood the South Plains' most significant trees-- twin hackberry groves, on 1870s trail used by buffalo hunters, surveyors, law officers, and early settlers.
On public domain, the site was unappropriated until mid-1880s . . . — — Map (db m91295) HM
On West 12 Street at Broadway Street, on the left when traveling east on West 12 Street.
Operating in the Texas Panhandle since 1886, the Santa Fe Railroad about 1900 laid plans to extend its line into the rich agricultural domain of the South Plains. Meantime, Plainview leaders saw the need for better transportation and in 1903 raised . . . — — Map (db m91246) HM
On U.S. 70, 1.6 miles west of Interstate 27, on the right when traveling west. Reported missing.
The Plainview Commercial Club, led by President J. O. Wyckoff, saw the potential of irrigation during a 1910 visit to wells in New Mexico. Local banker and farmer J. H. Slaton agreed to bear cost of a test well sunk on his land if it succeeded. G. . . . — — Map (db m91200) HM
Born in Johnson County, Texas, Jeff Williams came to Hale County in 1896. Largely self-taught, he began surveying in 1902 and worked on the XIT Ranch resurvey of 1909. He was Potter County surveyor, 1907-15, and held the same post in Hale County, . . . — — Map (db m91300) HM
The Wayland Heritage Plaza, featuring the bronze statue of the university's founder and namesake, Dr. James Henry Wayland, was formally dedicated Aug, 20-21, 2008, as part of WBU's centennial celebration with the theme “Dreams to . . . — — Map (db m91209) HM