The Civilian Conservation Corps Company 2888 was transferred here from Tyler in May 1941 to develop Possum Kingdom State Park. The CCC enrollees cleared the park area and shoreline, laid a waterline, built campsites and picnic tables, constructed . . . — — Map (db m226056) HM
William Whipple Johnson, the oldest of seven children, was born on October 11, 1843 in Ionia, Michigan to Ethan S. and Jane B. (Whipple) Johnson. He attended school in Ypsilanti, Michigan and in 1860 formed a business partnership with his father . . . — — Map (db m295824) HM
Plains Indians of the 18th century blazed a trail to a Taovaya village on the Red River from raids on settlements in northern New Spain. The trail linked watering holes and natural provisions crucial to survival for Comanches, Kiowas and allied . . . — — Map (db m268792) HM
Georgia native Hugh Hartwell Milliing (1894-1984) was the son of Roscoe G. Milling, who practiced several areas of experimental medicine. He trained his son in these methods, which included magnetic treatment and the “Milling Method of Masseuring.” . . . — — Map (db m226044) HM
This cemetery was established in 1883 when G. W. Slaughter and G. P. Barber donated land to the city. Prior to that time, a site known as The Cove served as a public burial place. Graves from The Cove were relocated here in 1884. The oldest . . . — — Map (db m295813) HM
Edward P. Dismuke (1860-1957) came to Mineral Wells about 1900. He and Cicero Smith built a recreational lake west of town in 1904, complete with picnic areas and a scenic railroad. When they dug a well for drinking water they discovered a new . . . — — Map (db m182019) HM
First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells, organized in 1882, grew out of an early revival. William Evander Penn, known as the “Texas Evangelist,” conducted worship services in Palo Pinto County in 1882, and with 54 charter members he established the . . . — — Map (db m268797) HM
The bronze marker in the floor locates the first mineral water well dug in this valley in the year 1877 by J.W. Lynch, a pioneer settler, and thereby discovered for posterity the health giving waters for which Mineral Wells is famous. — — Map (db m182015) HM
A town built on water. Founded 1877 by J.A. Lynch, a settler who miraculously recovered from rheumatism after drinking the foul tasting, but apparently healthful water in this well.
As the news spread, hundreds converged to "take" the waters, . . . — — Map (db m182018) HM
Mineral Wells voters approved a bond issue in 1913 to build a new high school, reflecting the community's growth during the first decades of the 20th century. Contractor J. S. Murphy completed the construction in 1914, and the class of 1915, with 24 . . . — — Map (db m226027) HM
Established in 1925, Camp Wolters was named for Brigadier General Jacob F. Wolters, commander of the 56th Brigade for the National Guard, and designated a summer training site for horse-mounted cavalry units. The city of Mineral Wells donated fifty . . . — — Map (db m119159) HM
A surge of growth in this city, after 1900 created a need for a larger post office. This structure, was the third facility built here after postal service began in 1882. It was constructed between 1911 and 1913 of reinforced concrete and clad with . . . — — Map (db m182020) HM
Buried in the nearby Staggs Prairie Cemetery, Sam Savage (1861-1951) was a rancher, farmer, and champion fiddler. At the age of five, he survived a Comanche Indian raid on his father's farm in Parker County and lived in captivity with the Comanches . . . — — Map (db m119179) HM
Constructed in 1886 largely due to the efforts of schoolteacher Robert E. Hendry (1847-1910), this was the first public school in Mineral Wells. Stones were hauled from nearby Rock Creek in mule-drawn wagons and hand cut on the site. Features of the . . . — — Map (db m226026) HM
The tracks of the Weatherford, Mineral Wells & Northwestern Railway reached the town of Mineral Wells in 1891. This depot was built about 1903 to replace an earlier one that had burned. For the next 25 years it primarily served the hundreds of . . . — — Map (db m226041) HM
Born in Giles County, Tennessee, Joseph Peter Davidson moved to Texas and settled in Palo Pinto County about 1856. Davidson established a trading post near this site. In 1865 he started a ranch in present Eastland County and later helped organize . . . — — Map (db m97807) HM
Area Baptists trace their history to 1891, when the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church congregation was organized with 14 charter members. Originally named for the rural schoolhouse where early worship services were held, the congregation was . . . — — Map (db m97805) HM
Saloons were prominent in the life and history of Thurber and were often settings for union organizational efforts. The first Snake Saloon, located between the drugstore and the livery stable in the center of town, was famous for its massive . . . — — Map (db m97808) HM
In 1887, before any settlement at this location, a spur track was laid from the Texas and Pacific RR main line to the coal mines two miles south. Originally, this juncture with the main line was called “Coal Mine Junction” and then . . . — — Map (db m97806) HM
According to local tradition, a young girl died as her family traveled past Thomas Lindsey's land in the 1870s. A short time later, Lindsey buried his sister near the girl's grave. The earliest marked grave is that of Tump Mapes (June-October . . . — — Map (db m295821) HM
Palo Pinto County was created in 1856 and named for a creek south of here that was perhaps named by Spanish explorers of the Brazos River Valley. The county seat of 320 acres was surveyed at its geographical center and was originally named Golconda. . . . — — Map (db m181948) HM
Soon after the founding of the town of Golconda (Palo Pinto) in 1857, frontier missionary and cattleman George Webb Slaughter organized the Baptist church in the community. A charter member of the Brazos River Baptist Association, the congregation . . . — — Map (db m181957) HM
Oldest church building in Palo Pinto, for congregation believed to have been first of any faith worshipping here.
Organized 1857 in home of Dr. Stephen S. Taylor, a lay preacher.
Members built church in 1882-1883. Despite 1883 storm damage, . . . — — Map (db m181961) HM
Tax-assessor-collector for Palo Pinto County from January 1, 1947 to March 31, 1987. Longest tenured tax assessor in the State of Texas at the time of his retirement.
Active participant in civic affairs and community projects throughout the . . . — — Map (db m181953) HM
Virginia native Jonathan Hamilton "Ham" Baker came to Texas in 1858 with his brother G.W. Baker and his uncle Eli Young. Stricken by malaria while a teacher in Fort Worth, he later moved to Palo Pinto County where his Uncle Frank Baker was . . . — — Map (db m181938) HM
Built to replace a log jail, this native sandstone structure was erected by contractors Martin, Byrne & Johnston of Comanche. J.C. McQuerry was sheriff when it was finished (1880). The first floor was used for county offices until a new courthouse . . . — — Map (db m181959) HM
This cemetery traces its history to 1857 when a 320-acre tract of land was surveyed for the original Palo Pinto townsite. The town was platted in 1858 and one block was laid around an existing cemetery. In 1880 Palo Pinto citizens purchased the . . . — — Map (db m181962) HM
Created Aug. 27, 1856, from Navarro and Bosque counties; organized in 1857. Spanish name Palo Pinto refers to Spotted Oak, a common regional tree having bark with a mottled appearance.
Good hunting and abundant water made area a favored . . . — — Map (db m260146) HM
Dedicated to the Men and Women of Palo Pinto County Who Have Served in All Our Wars With Honor and Sacrific
U.S Army • U.S. Navy • U.S. Air Force • U.S. Marines • U.S. Coast Guard
Revolutionary War • War with France • War of 1812 • Mexican . . . — — Map (db m181954) WM
Methodist services in this area began about 1859, when the Rev. Matt Williams, a circuit-riding minister, helped organize this congregation. A church building was erected that year, and in 1866 the Rev. Melton Jones was appointed to the Palo Pinto . . . — — Map (db m181956) HM
The oldest continually active Baptist Church in Palo Pinto County, this congregation was chartered on November 3, 1872, under an oak tree near the Santo East Cemetery. Originally known as the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Cottonwood Grove . . . — — Map (db m295814) HM
An 1858 settler and leading citizen of Palo Pinto County. Enlisted 1864 in Co. B, 1st Frontier District, Texas State Troops, in Maj. Wm. Quayle’s command. Saw service mainly in keeping down Indian depredations and protecting settlements that were . . . — — Map (db m98439) HM
Born in Giles County, Tennessee. Came to Palo Pinto County, 1859, among first settlers in region. Married Jane Allen, July 18, 1860. Served in Co. B, State Troops, during Civil War, protecting frontier. Built this house in mid-1870s. Founded city of . . . — — Map (db m268795) HM
Built in 1874 by J. N. Stuart (1837-1910) and wife, Sally Allen Stuart (1835-1918), of materials hauled by ox-wagon from east Texas. A ship builder, Andrew Murdock, joined frame with pegs. House was first in area to have milled lumber and window . . . — — Map (db m268796) HM
Born in Boston in 1912, Mary Jane Catherine Gentry became an accomplished educator, historian, author and world traveler. Her 1946 University of Texas Master’s thesis, written under supervision of Walter Prescott Webb, was entitled “Thurber: . . . — — Map (db m98397) HM
Located on land once owned by William W. Johnson, whose coal mining operations spurred major development in nearby Thurber, this cemetery was named for Johnson’s daughter, Marion, who died at age three. It later became the primary burial ground . . . — — Map (db m98396) HM
In 1937, Guy U. Robinson led his neighbors to petition the county for a new common school district, in part to protest high school taxes in Strawn. Leo Ankenbauer sold two acres of land to school trustees, and craftsmen Bill Roberson and W. Proctor . . . — — Map (db m181927) HM
Anglo settlement began in this area, known as North Fork, in 1855. Stephen Bethel Strawn moved here in 1859 and in 1880 donated the right-of-way for the Texas and Pacific Railroad and laid off property for a townsite. The community’s economy was . . . — — Map (db m98440) HM
The city of Strawn, incorporated in 1917, held its first council meeting in a hall at a local bank building. During an oil, gas, and coal-inspired economic boom the city’s population reached 5,000 in 1920, and in 1921 bonds for a city hall were . . . — — Map (db m98441) HM
Designed by Dallas architect Thomas J. Galbraith and completed in 1919, this house is an excellent regional example of the Prairie School style of architecture. Its strong historical associations with area ranches and with the Ranger oil boom lend . . . — — Map (db m98398) HM
