Established by the United States Army, October 28, 1852, as a protection to frontier settlers against Indians. Named in honor of
Lieutenant T.L. Chadbourne,killed at Resaca de la Palma, May 9, 1846. Occupied by Federal troops, 1852-1859; . . . — — Map (db m77861) HM
Throughout this area during the last several centuries, rock ledges gave protection to Lipan, Kickapoo, Comanche, and Kiowa Indians. In one typical shelter archeologists found evidence of 3 periods of occupation, plus numerous intricate petroglyphs . . . — — Map (db m77615) HM
Passed near this site, providing for the first time combined passenger and mail service between Pacific and Atlantic Coasts. Operating west from St. Louis and Memphis, John Butterfield’s company used 1350 horses and mules and 90 Concord coaches and . . . — — Map (db m77944) HM
Eastern gateway to Permian Basin, in Coke County called Oso and Broncho in early 1880's. Formally named for English novelist Charlotte Bronte, in 1890, incorporated 1907.
Basic agricultural economy, predominately ranching. Site of major oil . . . — — Map (db m77860) HM
Built by local stonemason James C. Lammers (1874-1942), this depot was completed in 1911, two years after the first train arrived in Bronte. Built of locally quarried materials, the depot features stone lintels and window sills and a red tile roof. . . . — — Map (db m12236) HM
(Front Side, Center Panel)
Dedicated to the veterans of all wars who freely and courageously joined in the great world-wide conflicts for the preservation of peace freedom and democracy
Killed in Action
Verdon T. Allen • Joey . . . — — Map (db m18739) HM
Organized by visiting minister W.G. Green and a congregation of three on June 19, 1887, the Baptist Church in Bronte met in homes. In 1890 a brush arbor was built and the Rev. R.M. Cumbie was called as first pastor. Services were later held in the . . . — — Map (db m82380) HM
This congregation traces its history to the summer of 1890, when a small group of worshipers led by the Rev. J.W. Montgomery gathered under a brush arbor on East Kickapoo Creek to organize a church. Later that year the Rev. G.F. Fair became the . . . — — Map (db m82379) HM
Fort Chadbourne C.S.A.
Located 8 mi. north on old Butterfield Stageline. Upon secession, company of First Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles occupied this post to give protection against Indians. Stopover on way west for many Union . . . — — Map (db m82378) HM
One mile southeast to Fort Chadbourne, a station on the Butterfield Mail and Stage Line, which linked St. Louis and San Francisco, 1858-1861. The fort was established in 1852, occupied until its surrender to State forces in 1861, and garrisoned at . . . — — Map (db m143124) HM
Passed near this site, providing for the first time combined passenger and mail service between Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Operating west from St. Louis and Memphis, John Butterfield’s company used 1,350 horses and mules and 90 Concord coaches and . . . — — Map (db m83088) HM
Born near town of Paint Lick, Kentucky. Came to Collin County, Texas, 1858. Joined Confederate army at McKinney, October, 1861, as private in Army of Tennessee.
Served in five divisions. Was in Battle of Chickamauga; hurt at Murfreesboro, . . . — — Map (db m95975) HM
Formed from Tom Green County
Created March 13, 1889
Organized April 23, 1889
Named in Honor of
Richard Coke
1829 - 1896
Governor of Texas 1874-1876
Member of United States Senate
1878 - 1896
County Seat, . . . — — Map (db m82995) HM
Successor to county’s first one-room jail of rough lumber built about 1891, this building was erected 1907 by Southern Structural Steel Company, San Antonio. Officials who let the contract were P.D. Coulson, County Judge; C.M. Barger, S.W. Gaston, . . . — — Map (db m96020) HM
Virginia native. Leader Texas secession movement. Joined army, rose to captain 15th Texas Infantry company serving in Louisiana, Arkansas, chiefly Tennessee campaigns. Elected to State Supreme Court 1866, removed by reconstruction military . . . — — Map (db m95988) HM
In 1896 the Smith and Chapman families donated 4 acres here for a cemetery and church lot. A sanctuary for all faiths was built on the site the same year to serve the scattered ranches along the divide between the watersheds of the Colorado and . . . — — Map (db m95933) HM
Settled by cattlemen who ran herds on open range, and stock-farming homesteaders. Development began in early 1880's after Winfield Scott, rancher, fenced his spread. Area had three schools, lodge hall, tabernacle, general store, cotton gin and . . . — — Map (db m83087) HM
This area was a center of hostilities during 1880’s conflict between landless cattlemen trying to keep use of free grass and open range and those erecting barbed wire fences to create permanent ranches. On L.B. Harris Ranch (3 mi. W. of here) . . . — — Map (db m95987) HM
The Rev. Green Cotton Fields organized this Methodist congregation in January 1891. A one-room frame sanctuary built on this site in 1896 was replaced by a second structure in 1907. This structure was completed in 1928, during the pastorate of the . . . — — Map (db m95990) HM
Organized 1890 at Hayrick, first county seat of Coke County. Moved to Robert Lee 1891. This hall was built in 1906 by a contractor, S.C. Wilkins, of concrete blocks mixed and cast by hand. First story has housed many businesses, U.S. offices. . . . — — Map (db m95989) HM
Born in Illinois. Came to Texas 1856. Joined Confederate Army in New Orleans, 1861; fought in siege of Vicksburg (1863), in Battle of Mansfield (1864), and at Pleasant Hill, LA., where he was captured. Exchanged at Blair's Landing, he served to end . . . — — Map (db m18741) HM
Born in Kentucky. Joined the Confederate Army at Gonzales, Texas, 1862. Was in Co. F, Willis’ Battalion of Cavalry, Army of Virginia. Fought in battles of Holly Springs, Harrisburg, Fort Pillow and others. Captured, he became prisoner of war on Ship . . . — — Map (db m82905) HM
Born in Jackson, Miss. Came to Texas with family in early 1860s. Married Susan Lucinda McSpadden (1855-1917), and had 7 children who lived to adulthood. Settled near Sanco, in Yellow Wolf Valley, about 1888, and began ranching.
In 1894 he was . . . — — Map (db m95978) HM
Archeological findings at an overhanging rock ledge on Walnut Creek show that the spot, midway between the Colorado and North Concho Rivers, was for hundreds of years campsite or village of nomadic Indians who sought the shelter, running water, . . . — — Map (db m95932) HM
Established in 1891, two years after the founding of the city of Robert Lee, developers L. B. Harris and Eugene Cartledge, as president and secretary of the Austin & Northern Land & Cattle Company, on Sept. 29, 1892, sold for $1.00 this 11.7-acre . . . — — Map (db m18740) HM
On site of prehistoric Indian camps, in area where in 1850's Fort Chadbourne soldiers often skirmished with Indians.
One of the first settlements and second pioneer post office (established 1888) in county.
Named for the Comanche Chief . . . — — Map (db m82994) HM
A pioneer ranching center, settled about 1880. Early land owners included S.M. Conner, W.G. Jameson and W.R. Walker. Dr. J.E. Reed for 50 years was only physician here. R.B. Allen was outstanding civic leader. Post office, named for peak nearby, . . . — — Map (db m96019) HM
Sun Oil Company’s well – No. 1 Allen Jameson – was staked in Sept. 1946 and struck oil Nov. 17. Intermittent drilling had gone on in Coke County for 30 years, but this discovery began a county-wide oil boom. Drilled by the Dallas . . . — — Map (db m83082) HM
The Cedar Hill area, settled by stock-farming homesteaders about 1890, was named for the nearby cedar-covered elevation. A one-room school built in 1891 was located about 100 yards north of the cemetery, which remains. However, no post office or . . . — — Map (db m83086) HM
A pioneer ranching center, settled about 1880. Early land owners included S.M. Conner, W.G. Jameson and W.R. Walker. Dr. J.E. Reed for 50 years was only physician here. R.B. Allen was outstanding civic leader.
Post office, named for peak . . . — — Map (db m83081) HM
In area roamed by Indians for centuries. Tamed by open-range cattlemen in the late 1870s.
Permanent settlement began in 1880s. A post office, named for British poet Alfred Tennyson, was established in 1894 with Mrs. Sarah E. Kiser as the . . . — — Map (db m77617) HM
Established by pioneers of Mule Creek community, a small frontier settlement founded in 19th century. Said to be named either for (1) an early horse and mule ranch, or (2) a stagecoach mule that died at a creek which runs nearby. The Abilene - Fort . . . — — Map (db m77618) HM