In the years immediately following the Civil War, George and Mary Akers arrived from Denton to settle in the area. In 1869, they established this burial ground when they interred their infant twins. More settlers arrived, establishing the farming . . . — — Map (db m304697) HM
Callisburg founder Samuel Callis, an area blacksmith, was a Methodist who is thought to have been an original member of the Callisburg congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. According to local oral history, this group was organized . . . — — Map (db m255164) HM
Located on the Bud W Davis Farm (1 mile E), Cooke County's first producing oil well came in on Nov 9, 1924, heralding the beginning of a multi-million dollar industry and a new life style for the surrounding farm community. Carnival atmosphere . . . — — Map (db m255165) HM
Named for John Barron (1831-87), a Civil War veteran who came here from Virginia and bought a good farm in 1870. Married first to Delilah Ward (d. 1860s), then to Margaret McElroy, he had fifteen children. About 1875 he gave land for a church-school . . . — — Map (db m238735) HM
Ten-year-old William J. Bray was buried on this property in 1867. Eleven years later, his parents, A.P. and Arabella Bray, deeded one acre to establish a cemetery. In 1910, Elijah William and Mary Elizabeth Autry deeded one-half acre, and in 1944, . . . — — Map (db m309506) HM
Located in a fertile farming region, Era was settled in the 1870s. Merchant J. N. Gist (1827-1893) platted the townsite. The post office was opened in 1881 and named for Era Hargroves (1875-1880), daughter of an early resident. The village soon had . . . — — Map (db m261304) HM
Erected in 1894, this structure was the home and office of Dr. Benjamin Richard Thomason (d. 1909), one of Era's first physicians. Dr. Thomason's son Robert Ewing (1879-1973) hauled lumber from Gainesville for the construction. Later he had a long . . . — — Map (db m290745) HM
Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century brought two-toned horses with them, descendants of horses from North Africa and Asia Minor. Over time, these colorful horses became a cherished staple of the western frontier. Throughout the 1800s and early . . . — — Map (db m121779) HM
The development of barbed wire fencing had a revolutionary impact on the economy and settlement pattern in Texas. In 1874, Joseph Glidden of Illinois received a patent for his barbed wire. By 1875, Henry B. Sanborn had come to North Texas as . . . — — Map (db m96753) HM
In 1880, two years before the City of Gainesville created a public school system for all its children, Island Sparks, a young mulatto, taught the Black children of the city. In 1886, the city built a frame school building on this site for the . . . — — Map (db m238030) HM
Gainesville was a station on the Southern Overland Mail Line (Butterfield Route), which provided semi-weekly mail and stage service between St. Louis and San Francisco, 1858-1861. The line was 2795 miles long – one of the longest stage . . . — — Map (db m96750) HM
Prior to President Lincoln's election in 1860, tension in northern Texas was brewing between secessionists and Unionists. While most prominent planters and politicians were for secession, Gov. Sam Houston was against it and tried to persuade Texans . . . — — Map (db m308981) HM
Front
Cooke County
C.S.A.
Military, defense center in Civil War. Cooke voted 231 to 137 anti-secession, yet nine military units served Confederacy from here. In constant danger of Federal or Indian attack. Col. Wm. . . . — — Map (db m121778) HM
Settlement of the area now known as Cooke County began in late 1845. The county was created by the State Legislature in 1848 and named for William G. Cooke, Republic of Texas Quartermaster General and a participant in the Battle of San Jacinto. Land . . . — — Map (db m97598) HM
In 1913, city librarian Lillian Gunter (1870-1926) and the XLI club (a local women's literary society) secured a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation to construct a library building for Gainesville. Gunter then began her quest for state . . . — — Map (db m238043) HM
In Memory of those who have given the
ultimate sacrifice defending the
United States of America.
WW I - WW II - Korea - Vietnam
[Honor Roll of Names]
Dedicated to the Men and Women of
Cooke County who have . . . — — Map (db m174443) WM
William O. Davis (d. 1941), a veteran of the Civil War, came to Texas in 1870. Self-educated, he became a prominent local attorney and from 1876 to 1882 represented the area in the Texas Senate. An active civic leader, he later served as . . . — — Map (db m188224) HM
Alabama native Francis Marion Dougherty came to Texas in the 1840s, moving to Gainesville in 1858. Following service in the Civil War, where he saw action in the Red River Campaign of western Louisiana, he returned to Cooke County and worked as a . . . — — Map (db m188054) HM
Originally the Howeth family cemetery, this site traces its history to 1854, when a tornado struck the Howeth family cabin near Gainesville. First buried here were Thomas and Louisa Howeth, young children of William and Harriet Bell Howeth. William . . . — — Map (db m188045) HM
Built in 1912, the Gothic Revival style First Presbyterian Church building provides a tangible link to the past. The church first organized in 1879. A merger between Cumberland and First Presbyterian congregations required a new larger building. . . . — — Map (db m308979) HM
Formed in 1852, this congregation shared its first meeting place with two other denominations and the Masonic Lodge. A frame church building was erected in 1878 on this property, donated by James M. Lindsay. The present sanctuary, built by . . . — — Map (db m188119) HM
Tennessee native George Henry Ragsdale came to Cooke County in 1867. He was elected to three terms as county surveyor. By observations and a self-taught education, he became an expert naturalist, chiefly in ornithology, small mammals, fossils and . . . — — Map (db m308988) HM
Editor A. Morton Smith (1903-57) organized and promoted this show after a circus parody by the town's little theater group in 1930 revealed many talented amateurs. Chartered as a non-profit corporation, the community circus used its earnings to buy . . . — — Map (db m96754) HM
With support from the Kiwanis Club and the Parent-Teacher Association, Randolph Lee Clark (1871-1941) began promoting the idea of a junior college upon his arrival in 1923 as superintendent of Gainesville's public schools. In May 1924, the city . . . — — Map (db m238040) HM
In this block on October 21, 1882, prominent citizens and landowners J.M. Lindsay and C.C. Hemming founded Gainesville National Bank (GNB). Over the next decades, Gainesville evolved from a frontier town to a thriving community and a financial . . . — — Map (db m308986) HM
Authorized by the Thirty-Third Texas Legislature in 1913, the Texas State Training School for Girls opened on 160 acres east of Gainesville in 1916. Initially headed by Dr. Carrie Weaver Smith, the facility offered education, agricultural and . . . — — Map (db m255162) HM
Executive Mansion, Washington,
November 21st, 1864
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously . . . — — Map (db m174466) WM
The U.S. Cavalry constructed roads to improve logistical routes in the west during the 19th century. Henry O. Flipper, the first African American graduate of West Point, was an officer in the Tenth Cavalry regiment “Buffalo Soldiers” at . . . — — Map (db m97593) HM
Hubert H. Moss was born in Woodbine in 1892. After attending North Texas State Normal College, he became a teacher before leaving Cooke County to serve in World War I. After the war, Moss taught high school and became a chemistry professor at newly . . . — — Map (db m238032) HM
J.D. Ikard Sugg (1854-1925) Joseph D. Sugg was born in Mississippi, the youngest of 13 children. After his mothers death, he headed west, working on a cattle drive heading north from the Red River in 1868. Later a rancher in partnership with . . . — — Map (db m308990) HM
J. M. Lindsay graduated from Cumberland Law School in his native Tennessee in 1857 and arrived in Gainesville on his 22nd birthday. His political and legal career included the following offices: state legislator, member of Gainesville's first city . . . — — Map (db m309093) HM
Democrat Joseph Weldon Bailey served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1891-1901) and in the U.S. Senate (1901-1913). A colorful and controversial politician, he was known for his superb oratorical skills and his fiery temper. His career was . . . — — Map (db m188118) HM
The owner of 90 acres in this vicinity, Missouri native Ned Moffett, Sr., (1842-1924) wed Mary Stone on April 19, 1866. The couple had nine children, and early census records listed the family as Mulatto. The Moffetts permitted use of this property . . . — — Map (db m121776) HM
In the early 20th century, the growing city of Gainesville needed a new high school but lacked funds. In 1920, W.H. and Ella Dougherty donated their mansion, which once belonged to U.S. Senator Joseph W. Bailey, and surrounding land to the city for . . . — — Map (db m188299) HM
In the 1860s, George Sanford Norrid left his Missouri home with his wife, Tabitha, and family and moved to Texas, settling in this area and offering their home for church services. In 1875, F.M. Dougherty and George Norrid deeded land for a . . . — — Map (db m309510) HM
Erected 1884. First floor was fire station, with ladder truck, hose wagons and horse stalls. Insignia for the three fire companies appear above doors.
Second floor contained city offices. Jail or "Calaboose" was in rear. Architect was J. J. . . . — — Map (db m308987) HM
Capt. L.W. Lee (1831-1916),
a confederate veteran
moved here from Missouri,
1869, founded Valley View
(10 mi. S), 1873; became a
leading cattleman of area.
In 1894, as a wedding gift
for daughter Ella (Mrs. J.M. Potter), built this . . . — — Map (db m238036) HM
A native of Fort Worth, Randolph Lee Clark worked as a cowboy on the XIT Ranch as a young man. After graduating from Add-Ran Christian University, he worked for state educational offices in Austin. He served as school superintendent in Wichita Falls . . . — — Map (db m238038) HM
Founded May 10, 1877. Bishop A.C. Garrett laid cornerstone May 12, 1884, on land given by Judge J.M. Lindsay, civic leader. English Gothic architecture. Built of brick made locally. Foundation of huge limestone slabs, hauled to site by oxcart. First . . . — — Map (db m238039) HM
Hand dug by citizens in the late 1800s, the well was a gathering place for the Salem (later Shady Grove) community. P.G. Dotson directed the work for the brick-lined well dug to a depth of 17 feet. Intended to provide water for the nearby Salem . . . — — Map (db m237999) HM
By the end of the 19th Century Gainesville was established as one of the state's major rail centers. This depot was built about 1902 to handle the increased traffic on the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad. The red brick structure contained a . . . — — Map (db m97595) HM
In operation from 1942 to 1946, Camp Howze served as an infantry training facility during World War II. It was named for General Robert Lee Howze (1864-1926), a native Texan whose distinguished career in the United States Army began with his . . . — — Map (db m96908) HM
The earliest burial on this site is that of infant Mary C. Underwood, who died in 1875. Another infant, identified only as "Newton's child," was interred on what became known as "Stranger's Row" in 1882. The following year, John P. and Sarah Jane . . . — — Map (db m308973) HM
Facing the threat of invasion from the north and fearing a Unionist uprising in their midst, the people of North Texas lived in constant dread during the Civil War. Word of a "Peace Party" of Union sympathizers, sworn to destroy their government, . . . — — Map (db m97585) HM
Mrs. Giles (Frances Dougherty) Houston, one of the heirs to a Cooke County fortune, built this magnificent example of frontier Victorian architecture in 1898. J. G. Garrett (1858-1919), a local man credited with the plans for many fine Gainesville . . . — — Map (db m188223) HM
William Thomas Green Weaver came to Texas from Illinois in 1840 with his father and three siblings. As a young adult, he taught school for a time, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1856. He came to this city to practice law and in 1860 was . . . — — Map (db m188304) HM
Georgia native W. O. Davis served in the Confederate Army and was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1870. He moved to Texas, settling in Gainesville, and was soon involved in local politics and civic life. In a long public service career, Davis served . . . — — Map (db m188047) HM
Created March 20, 1848. Organized March 10, 1849.
Named in honor of
William G. Cooke
1808-1847
Captain of the "New Orleans Greys," 1835
Assistant Inspector General
at San Jacinto, 1836
Member of the Santa Fe Expedition, 1841 . . . — — Map (db m121775) HM
Organized 1892. Present church was erected in 1918 to replace structure destroyed by cyclone. Lindsay settlers, Germans whose lives centered in the church, furnished much manual labor for the building and saved old windmill towers to be used as . . . — — Map (db m245784) HM
In 1889 brothers Anton, August, and Emil Flusche contracted to sell 22,000 acres of this land along the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. Jot Gunter gave 25 acres for a school, church, cemetery, and park. The first Mass, celebrated Dec. 8, 1889, . . . — — Map (db m238035) HM
Founded 1850. Named for Gen. Edmund P. Gaines, who in 1836 aided Republic of Texas. Military supply headquarters during Civil War. Important in defense against Indian attacks and invasion. Center for agriculture, industry, oil. Home of famed . . . — — Map (db m97591) HM
Two long, narrow strips of timber extending parallel to each other from Oklahoma to Central Texas; form a marked contrast to adjacent prairie. The more fertile East Cross Timbers begin here in Cooke County. Area was famous pioneer landmark as well . . . — — Map (db m97590) HM
On Jan. 5-6, 1868, Chief Big Tree and 150 to 200 Kiowas raided Willa Walla Valley, Clear Creek and Blocker Creek. Burned homes; killed 13 people; scalped one woman alive. Captured 10 women and children; 3 escaped, 2 were ransomed. Raiders reached . . . — — Map (db m295635) HM
In 1870, Captain L.W. Lee and his wife Mary Ann (Fryer) came from Missouri to a tall grass prairie overlooking a valley. Several friends from Missouri soon arrived, and by 1872 the settlers founded the town of Valley View, platting streets and . . . — — Map (db m255160) HM
Organized in 1847 in a pioneer woman's home, Mountain Springs School was Cooke County's first school. In 1853, it was moved to a log schoolhouse near this site. In 1884, when it became part of the public school system, this land was deeded for a . . . — — Map (db m238033) HM
In 1875 Mollie Nelson, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Carroll and Mary Elizabeth Nelson, died of pneumonia and measles and was buried on her parents' property. Two years later, R C. Nelson and J. C. Stockton deeded land including Mollie's grave . . . — — Map (db m309748) HM
