Alanson Asbury (A.A.) Head (1843-1925) and his wife, Susanna Alabama Bethany (1843-1924) built a 2-story residence here about 1877. Over the years A.A. and Susanna, known as Uncle Ben and Aunt Sukie, terraced about 300 acres here on which they . . . — — Map (db m299732) HM
Early settler David Mitchell established a trading post near here in the late 1840s, about the time colonists of W. S. Peters' empresario grant began to settle the area. Colonist William Balch, who settled on an area land grant in 1852, was later . . . — — Map (db m180145) HM
Two early area families established cemeteries at this site in the 1870s. During that time, the Campbell and Sansom families purchased land in this vicinity. The first documented burial is that of seven-month-old Ula Sansom (d. 1876), who was buried . . . — — Map (db m180142) HM
Chartered in 1869, the Alvarado Masonic Lodge began under leadership of A.J. Chambers, J.C. Weaver and Joel Higgins. From its earliest years it offered strong support of local education. The first lodge building provided classroom space, and the . . . — — Map (db m220277) HM
William Balch (1804-1870) migrated to Texas from Illinois in 1848 with his wife and family to receive land from the Robertson land district. In 1851 Balch and his sons and grandson arrived in Alvarado to mark their land claim of 320 acres about . . . — — Map (db m180144) HM
This graveyard was established in 1856 adjacent to the Balch Cemetery for the African American population following the death of a slave girl killed by a black bear. The girl had come to Alvarado with George Sigler and his family, whose farm was . . . — — Map (db m220275) HM
A small group of settlers from Alabama arrived in the Alvarado area, near Chambers Creek, in 1857. Among them were the Frost, Newby, Murphree and Head families. The family of Sampson and Betty Ann Blakely Head settled about a mile north of this . . . — — Map (db m299731) HM
Nancy and Aquilla Cahill came to Texas in 1859 and settled in this area. The community which grew up around their farm was known as Cahill. In 1893, land for a Methodist church and cemetery was deeded by Sarah E. Snodgrass in memory of her father, . . . — — Map (db m299749) HM
Dr. John Duke (1827-1884), his wife Martha (1836-1888), and their family moved to Johnson County in 1854. they established a farm in the area later called the Willow Springs community. When their ten-year-old daughter Zilla died in 1870, they . . . — — Map (db m146721) HM
Settlers came to Alvarado in the 1850s, and area Baptists are believed to have gathered for several years before formally organizing a church on October 6, 1861. Members first met at the community's Union building, shared by a school and three other . . . — — Map (db m220279) HM
Held early services in hall put up by Wm. Balch, who in 1851 founded Alvarado. First church, built 1866, burned 1885. This Victorian building with spire and lancet windows, 1886-1887. Annexes 1940, 1950, 1960. Still has original bell. . . . — — Map (db m220276) HM
One of the largest events of its kind in Texas, the Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion traces its beginnings to 1892, when local farmer and newspaper correspondent John James (1852-1927) proposed the idea to some of his neighbors. . . . — — Map (db m180141) HM
Near this site in 1869, Alvarado citizens ended the lives of outlaws Benjamin Bickerstaff and Josiah Thompson. A former Confederate veteran and prisoner of war, Bickerstaff was wanted for the murder of an African American man in Louisiana shortly . . . — — Map (db m180146) HM
AlvaradoIn 1854, E.M. Heath petitioned for the formation of Johnson County. That year, William Balch gave this site for a school, church and union meeting-house. Residents constructed a one-room log building for a school and meeting space for . . . — — Map (db m299734) HM
John Ezell (1857–1933) and his family moved from Alabama to Texas in 1867 and settled on a farm near here. The growth of cotton crops increased in Johnson County by the 1890s, and the need for more cotton gins became acute. In 1896, Ezell built a . . . — — Map (db m299748) HM
William Balch (1804-1870) claimed land around this site as a member of the Peters Colony in 1849. When he returned with his family in 1851, they found a group of Caddo Indians camping on one side of the springs. The Balch family built their cabin on . . . — — Map (db m220280) HM
This cart was used to move mail and baggage for trains and interurban cars in about 1900.
It was in service for many years in the area and is over 100 years old. They were made to last.
Cart was donated by Dr. Robert E. Ables, Mayor . . . — — Map (db m299782) HM
The Bethesda community traces its history to 1853, when pioneer farmer David R. Jackson donated land for a community cemetery. Unmarked graves date to 1844, and the earliest marked burials are from 1856.
Bethesda Baptist Church was organized . . . — — Map (db m299759) HM
Right where you are standing, from 1912 to 1931, you could catch a ride on the North Texas Traction Company's interurban railway. Five trolley cars, including the 330 car, made three round trips a day. The cars brought an endless variety of . . . — — Map (db m299785) HM
The First Baptist Church has served Burleson residents since 1884, shortly after the town was founded. In 1881, the town organized when the Missouri, Kansas & Texas (MKT) Railroad arrived. By 1882, the town had a post office and several businesses . . . — — Map (db m299781) HM
Families moved to this area in the 1850s, settling among the beautiful trees surrounding Quil Miller Creek and its springs which ran almost year-round. One of the earliest settlers, Cumberland Presbyterian minister J. S. Wilshire, farmed with his . . . — — Map (db m299772) HM
Mrs. Calvin served on the Burleson City Council for nine years. In 1988 Mayor R.G. (Jerry) Boone resigned and Mrs. Calvin was sworn in as mayor. Mrs. Calvin was elected mayor in 1989 for a one-year term and in 1990 for a two-year term. As of 2020 . . . — — Map (db m299784) HM
This Queen Anne-style house, the first of the Annette Clark addition, was built in 1894 by Mary Renfro and her daughter Margaret Annette Baker Clark, heirs of Henry C. Renfro (1831-1885), donor of the Burleson town site.
Renfro and Mary . . . — — Map (db m221288) HM
At the turn of the 20th century, the Northern Texas Traction Co. found success with an interurban railway that operated between Fort Worth and Dallas. In 1911, a group began planning a new interurban that would run from Fort Worth to Cleburne by way . . . — — Map (db m220796) HM
Legendary pianist Al Stricklin was born in Johnson County in 1908, he learned to play the piano at a very early age, accompanying his father who played fiddle. At age 15, Stricklin began playing at silent movies and at dances. After completing high . . . — — Map (db m194403) HM
Has been placed on the National Register of Historic Railroad Landmarks
This plaque is to commemorate the centennial of the construction of Pacific type (4-6-2) steam locomotive #3417. It was delivered to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway . . . — — Map (db m194388) HM
In the 1850s a little girl, traveling through this area with her family by wagon train, fell ill and died. She is said to be the first person buried here. Records of the New Hope Baptist Church, founded nearby in 1860, suggest that J. L. Baker . . . — — Map (db m299725) HM
The Carnegie Library building has been Cleburne's literary and cultural center since 1905. In 1902-1903, the Women's Club, led by Julia Pittman Osborn, requested a $1 donation from each "Progressive Man" in Cleburne, obtained a $20,000 grant from . . . — — Map (db m177760) HM
A Cleburne Public Library was begun in 1901 under the direction of the local Women's Club. In 1902 members of the organization met with New York industrialist and benefactor Andrew S. Carnegie to secure funds for a building. His gift was matched . . . — — Map (db m177762) HM
As early as 1860, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg, first bishop of Texas, visited Johnson County. This parish, first in the county, was formed 1871; the Rev. Robert S. Nash was first rector. First church building in Cleburne (northeast corner, . . . — — Map (db m171474) HM
Were meeting places for early rural folks coming to town to buy, sell, trade, catch up on latest news.
Here on this lot farmers, travelers for “two bits” got feed, water for teams; crude overnight accommodations.
Wagon yards, outdated by . . . — — Map (db m177641) HM
In Memorial to All Veterans Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Cause of Freedom From 1776 to 1976
C.E. De Lario - Post No. 50 American Legion - Cledurne, Texas November 11, 1975 — — Map (db m194396) WM
The new town of Cleburne was selected as the Johnson County seat in 1867. Two years later, the Grand Lodge of Texas granted a charter to the Cleburne Masonic Lodge No. 315. The members built a lodge hall in March 1871 and the town of Cleburne was . . . — — Map (db m177765) HM
Traces its beginning to 1854 when first house, a log cabin, was built here near a good spring.
County seat was bodily moved by wagon to this place (then called Camp Henderson) in 1867, and renamed to honor Patrick Cleburne, a Confederate . . . — — Map (db m73239) HM
County named for Texas Confederate
Colonel Middleton T. Johnson
1810-1866
South Carolinian; Legislator Alabama came to Texas 1840. Member Republic of Texas Congress. Cavalryman in U.S. War with Mexico. Texas Ranger surveyor of early . . . — — Map (db m307846) HM
Dedicated to the Men and Women of Johnson County Who Served With Honor, Dedication and Distinction in Desert Shield and Desert Storm 1990 - 1991 — — Map (db m177708) WM
In the late 1800s, a Bible Study group known as the West Side Mission grew out of prayer groups at Cleburne's First Baptist Church. Its building was located on a lot at West Willingham Street bought in the early 1900s. In 1911, the mission bought . . . — — Map (db m177640) HM
Baptist Missionary Preacher W.A. Mason held a revival in the new Johnson County seat of Cleburne in 1868 and on May 5 of that year formally organized the first Baptist church with 16 members. Mason stayed on as pastor of the new congregation until . . . — — Map (db m177706) HM
Methodism began in Johnson County during the 1850s when Simeon Odem (Odom) held camp meetings near Grandview; Rev. Jeremiah Easterwood is credited with holding the first Methodist service in the area later to become Cleburne in 1852. A Methodist . . . — — Map (db m177620) HM
City named for Confederate
General Patrick R. Cleburne
1828-1864
Born near Cork, Ireland came to U.S. 1849. Drug clerk in Ohio, became lawyer in Arkansas. Recruited 1st Arkansas Regt. for Confederacy. Elected colonel. Promoted brigadier . . . — — Map (db m54825) HM
John L. Cleveland was born in Georgia in 1851 to James Monroe and Catherine (Wright) Cleveland. He studied agriculture and business before moving to Midlothian, Texas, to teach and farm. Annie Hamilton Upshaw, daughter of Samuel Crockett and . . . — — Map (db m177767) HM
Named for Middleton T. Johnson (1810-1866), native of South Carolina, for 7 terms an Alabama Legislator, a leading Texan after 1840. Served in 9th Texas Legislature, in Texas Rangers, Mexican War, Civil War.
County created and organized 1854 . . . — — Map (db m221227) HM
Organized in 1854, Johnson County located its seat of government to Wardville and in Buchanan before moving in 1867 to Camp Henderson, which later became Cleburne. The Buchanan courthouse was moved to the new county seat and used until 1869, when . . . — — Map (db m73143) HM
This stone is from the fourth Johnson County Courthouse, a red brick three story building with a four story bell/clock tower, and was finished October 6, 1883 costing $49,685. The building was destroyed by fire on April 16, 1912.
City Marshall . . . — — Map (db m177747) HM
On October 8, 1951, nine men gathered at the Cleburne Livestock Auction Barn to create the Johnson County Sheriff's Posse (JCSP). The organization was charged with establishing a local riding group to promote good will among horsemen and other . . . — — Map (db m177768) HM
John B. Joiner bought land here from P.C. Chambers and built a one-story farmhouse in 1895. Insurance and real estate salesman Joiner sold the house in 1912 to the Long family. Joseph Benjamin Long (1876-1939) moved to Cleburne in 1907 and worked as . . . — — Map (db m194404) HM
Cleburne Memorial Cemetery serves as the final resting place of many Civil War veterans with more than 400 Confederate soldiers and seven Union soldiers. These men represent the foundation of Cleburne's thriving community and give insight into . . . — — Map (db m177769) HM
The first telephones in Texas, in 1878, connected the "Galveston News" with the home of its publisher, Col. A. H. Belo. Galveston also had the first exchange, 1879, and first long-distance line, which ran to Houston, in 1883. Cleburne phone . . . — — Map (db m170373) HM
Johnson County's second seat of government. (Wardville just west of Nolan River, at U.S. 67, was first.) Buchanan, named for President-elect of the United States, was founded in Dec. 1856 on 60-acre townsite donated by John P. Bailey. A jail (first . . . — — Map (db m299728) HM
Had wood, water. Was used after 1854 start of Camp Henderson (named for land owner-townsite donor) for decisive public meetings. In 1867 Camp Henderson became county seat. Then men at 4th of July picnic here named town "Cleburne" for Civil War . . . — — Map (db m177758) HM
Early-day watering spot for explorers, Confederate Camp Henderson, settlers. People came many miles to wash, haul water, visit. At a nickel a bucket, boys "toted" water to merchants.
Brick-lined pool often was dipped dry, but spring always . . . — — Map (db m177646) HM
Messengers from nine Baptist churches, Shady Grove # 1 and # 2, Alvarado, Bethesda, Rock Springs, Hillsboro, Island Grove, West Fork and Union met to organize themselves as an association on October 29, 1864. The purposes of the association are to . . . — — Map (db m177617) HM
The 36th Division (Texas National Guard) mobilized during WWII convoyed in February, 1942 through Cleburne en route to shipping overseas. Crowds lined both sides of Highway 67 from one end of town to the other trying to get sight of familiar faces . . . — — Map (db m177710) HM
World War II brought a shared sense of patriotism and purpose to the Texas home front as civilians benefited from new or expanded war industry jobs, such as petroleum, lumber, bomber manufacturing and farming. However, the large number of Texans . . . — — Map (db m177637) HM
In 1939, work began to replace Rhome Field, where Cleburne High played home football games for twenty years. The Works Projects Administration (WPA) provided most of the funding for the new $80,000 stadium built from concrete and rough cut . . . — — Map (db m171475) HM
The rural Watts Chapel community is named for the family of Nathaniel Franklin Watts (1851-1919), who settled in this area of Johnson County in 1872. Watts married Rachel Ann Bennett in 1875, and they bought a small farm near this site. They . . . — — Map (db m299730) HM
Originally known as Bethany Baptist Church, this congregation was organized in the spring of 1878 at the home of J.P. Vickers, about four miles from what is now the town of Godley. In 1880, during the pastorate of the Rev. S.E. Brook, the new church . . . — — Map (db m84828) HM
The town of Godley began in 1886, as rancher and lumber merchant R. B. Godley donated land for a townsite and right-of-way to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Predating the railroad town was the local school, as Johnson County . . . — — Map (db m188357) HM
John Whitmire, the son-in-law of early settler F. L. Kirtley, is credited with naming this town in 1854 by saying, "what a grand view!” Kirtley donated 2.5 acres for a baptist church and cemetery in 1856. Intending to lay out a town plat, . . . — — Map (db m146806) HM
Chartered on Jun. 14, 1861, the Grandview Masonic Lodge is Johnson County's oldest lodge in continuous operation. It originally shared a building with the Methodist Church near current Grandview Cemetery. The lodge later relocated with the town to . . . — — Map (db m220274) HM
Settled in 1850 on land grant from Governor Elisha M. Pease. Supplies were hauled by ox-wagon from Houston. A visitor exclaimed, "what a grand view!" which gave community its name. Church organized 1853. Post office opened in 1856. Masonic lodge . . . — — Map (db m220271) HM
Prior to the establishment of Joshua as a railroad town in 1881, Methodists in the area worshiped at the Caddo Grove and Marystown communities. A Methodist church was organized in Joshua in 1883 with assistance from the Marystown church. . . . — — Map (db m299777) HM
Settlement in this area began in the early 1850s. By the 1870s Union Hill had developed into a small rural community of families primarily engaged in cotton farming. In 1879 a Presbyterian congregation was organized in Union Hill through the . . . — — Map (db m299775) HM
Southwestern Adventist University was founded in 1893 as the Keene Industrial and Missionary Academy. The school was founded with the purpose of training workers to fulfill positions of responsibility within the Seventh-Day Adventist denomination. . . . — — Map (db m294646) HM
Famed for its beef since era of the Republic, Texas fed a great part of the Confederacy - both civilians and army - in the Civil War years 1861-1865.
Routes for beef supplying were many: Shreveport Trail to Vicksburg, Miss.; Alexandria Trail . . . — — Map (db m194376) HM
Nolands River was an early Johnson County community, established in the late 1850s. A local club of the Grange, a farmers' fraternal organization, organized here in 1874, and built a two story meeting hall called "Grange Hall" that also housed a . . . — — Map (db m194382) HM
Henry Briden (1825-1908) came to Texas from his native Germany in 1845 and served for two years as a Texas Ranger. In 1849, he and his wife, Lucinda Sevier (1831-75), became first permanent white settlers in what is now Johnson County, when they . . . — — Map (db m194356) HM
Yearly gathering of heirs of colonists entering America 1623.
Wm.L. Menefee, ancestor of this branch of the family, migrated to Texas 1830; signed Declaration of Independence 1836; was on the commission selecting capital site at present-day . . . — — Map (db m194365) HM
Located in an area of Johnson County's earliest settlement, Rio Vista was founded on the railroad in 1885. The townsite, which affords views of both Nolan River and Mustang Creek, was given the Spanish name for "River View". The post office that . . . — — Map (db m180280) HM
