On County Highway 930, 0.7 miles east of Farm to Market Road 1366, on the left when traveling west.
Margarette Wills, her slaves and her son James S. Wills came to this area in 1845. Dr. James S. Wills is credited with the establishment of the Cotton Gin community in 1848. According to family history, Dr. Wills gave the land for a public . . . — — Map (db m167982) HM
On County Highway 930, 0.2 miles east of Farm to Market Road 1366, on the left when traveling west.
Settled prior to 1848, when Dr. J.S. Wills established a mule-drawn Gin here. Post Office was founded in 1851, the year county was organized. Dr. Wills gave a block of land for courthouse, but voters declined to make Cotton Gin the county seat. . . . — — Map (db m201826) HM
On County Highway 924, 0.1 miles west of County Highway 925, on the left when traveling west.
First church organized in what was to become Freestone County. Started Sept. 11, 1847, by five charter members: Mrs. Mary Archibald, Samuel N. Archibald, Thos. W. Archibald, Eloisa Patton and Mrs. Mary S. Patton, whose husband donated land for . . . — — Map (db m167984) HM
On Main Street (State Highway 164) at Worthy Street (Farm to Market Road 80), on the right when traveling west on Main Street.
At this location in 1906, Alabama native Dillard Monroe Worthy opened a general merchandise store. He was later joined by his son, Roy, and the business became D.M. Worthy & Son. It provided residents with essential items and included farming . . . — — Map (db m171544) HM
Used as a burial ground since 1860. This two-acre tract was given in 1860 by Jacob W. Tacker for use as cemetery and school site. Area was known as "Tacker School and Graveyard Community." First church on the land - a log building - was erected . . . — — Map (db m171530) HM
Established in 1867 as a final resting place for William Bonner, Dr. John Bonner, and their descendants. The two brothers, natives of South Carolina, came to Texas in the early 1850s, settling in Freestone County. Here they amassed thousands of . . . — — Map (db m26474) HM
On Main Street at Hall Street, on the right on Main Street.
Said to have come from riverboat "S. A. Ruthven", which plied Trinity River until it was sunk in 1873 at Parker's Bluff. Butler Church acquired bell and used it for many years. In 1963, after the church was razed, Mrs. Clay Burkhart purchased bell, . . . — — Map (db m85031) HM
On State Highway 84, 1.7 miles Farm to Market Road 489, on the left when traveling east. Reported missing.
Commissioners courts in Texas usually furnished to soldiers enlisting in the Civil War their uniforms, guns, blankets--and sometimes even their horses. The county courts also aided dependents, war orphans and widows. Further, they recognized local . . . — — Map (db m51647) HM
On East Commerce Street (U.S. 84) at South Mount Street, on the left when traveling east on East Commerce Street.
Came to Texas from Alabama in 1855. Civil War commanded Co. B, 2nd Battalion, Waul's Texas Legion. On May 22, 1863, was a leader of one of most daring defensive actions in the Siege of Vicksburg. Volunteered, along with 20 of his own men and 18 . . . — — Map (db m85018) HM
On East Commerce Street (U.S. 84) at South Mount Street, on the left when traveling east on East Commerce Street.
Formed from Limestone County
Created September 6, 1850
Organized January 6, 1851
So named from the nature of
its stone
County Seat, Fairfield
Formerly known as Mound Prairie — — Map (db m121878) HM
On Blount Road (County Road 235), on the right when traveling north.
Known as Lewis Corner because of a sharp curve in the road. This nearby location was home to Eugene Lewis, Sr. (May 31, 1884-May 18, 1966) and wife Jessie Ward Lewis (Feb.9, 1890-Jan. 1,1968). The Lewises and their 10 children resided here from 1915 . . . — — Map (db m43950) HM
On East Main Street at Hall Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street.
Built 1857 to meet fortress-like specifications: interior walls are 18 inches thick, outer walls, 30 inches. Constructed of brick and oak timbers. Prison, upstairs, had floor of thick oak planks, with subfloor of iron.
Jailer lived on ground . . . — — Map (db m85022) HM
On Main Street west of Keechi Street, on the right when traveling west.
In 1854-61, Fairfield civic and political leader helped found first newspaper here. Served as district judge. A key member of Texas Secession Convention. 1861 Confederate congressman.
Organized 7th Texas Infantry. As Brigadier General, led . . . — — Map (db m152971) HM
On South Hall Street at East Bradley Street, on the right when traveling north on South Hall Street.
German native Fridolin (Fred) Fischer (1850-1921) came to Freestone County from Indiana in 1876. In 1893, the same year he opened a local hardware store, he had this home constructed by David P. Winfrey. Built in the Eastlake style, the residence . . . — — Map (db m85009) HM
On Reunion Street at Keechi Street, on the right when traveling east on Reunion Street.
Greek Revival structure with cistern and chimneys of local handmade brick. Lumber, hardware came by wagon from Galveston. Siding is cypress; interiors of hand-planed heart pine. Unusual smoke spots decorate a ceiling.
Started 1855 by Dr. W. D. . . . — — Map (db m85040) HM
On East Commerce Street (U.S. 84) at North Keechi Street, on the left when traveling east on East Commerce Street.
Six brass field guns taken by Lt. Joseph D. Sayers' Company in Civil War Battle of Val Verde, N. Mex., 1862, and brought back to Texas with incredible difficulty, armed a new unit of hand-picked men. Sound of the Val Verde guns in action set pace . . . — — Map (db m121879) HM
On Sessions Street (Farm to Market Road 80) at County Highway 1080, on the left when traveling south on Sessions Street.
This cemetery is the largest of three slave graveyards which local tradition indicates were established in the area in the early 1850s. It was named for delegate to Texas' Constitutional Convention of 1875 and prominent local citizen Gustavus . . . — — Map (db m167981) HM
On County Highway 950 at Farm to Market Road 80, on the left when traveling east on County Highway 950.
Matthews and Robert Shanks of Alabama settled here with their families in 1859. A small farming community developed, and in 1870 a school was built on a one-acre site donated by R. C. Murray. Land beside the schoolyard became a public burial . . . — — Map (db m171480) HM
On Shiloh Street (County Highway 1449) at County Highway 1070, on the left when traveling north on Shiloh Street.
Area slaves used a brush arbor for informal church services held by White Minister Jeremiah Seely in the early 1850s. The congregation formally organized as Freedmen in 1866; Boney Moffett was elected first elder. Shiloh School, which was inspired . . . — — Map (db m167980) HM
On County Highway 1449 at County Highway 1060, on the left when traveling north on County Highway 1449.
Established in 1863 Enrollment more than 300 students Colonel L.R. Wortham donated Ten acres of land for use as a Campus, Church and Cemetery Charter trustees Col. L.R. Wortham, Thomas Lamb Dr. Rueben Anderson, Oliver Carter John I. Winn, D.L. . . . — — Map (db m167950) HM
On County Highway 1449 at County Highway 1060, on the left when traveling north on County Highway 1449.
In a community founded 1848 by pioneers mostly from Alabama, this cemetery was opened with burial of Capt. John L. Wortham (1841-62), who died in Galveston while in Confederate Army in the Civil War. Col. Luther R. ("Dick") Wortham (1820-74), a . . . — — Map (db m167952) HM
Buried closeby are two kinsmen who share notable roles in the history of the South : John Bonum Lennard and his son-in-law, Minyard Hickerson Harriss. John Lennard was a member of the convention that withdrew Alabama from the Union in 1861. . . . — — Map (db m167973) HM
Near County Highway 731, 1.2 miles east of Farm to Market Road 80.
A veteran of 1835 Texas armed resistance to Mexican forces. Participated in the Grass Fight (Nov. 26), and in victory at San Antonio on Dec. 10, 1835. Haley was born in Tennessee. In 1824, he moved to present Shelby County, Texas. For his services . . . — — Map (db m171529) HM
On Walnut Street at 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Walnut Street.
This church traces its history to 1877, when a small Baptist congregation was organized in the village of Brewer Prairie. It became known as the First Baptist Church of Teague when the town was renamed in 1906. Located at the corner of 6th Avenue . . . — — Map (db m171481) HM
On South 9th Street at East Main Street (Business U.S. 84), on the left when traveling south on South 9th Street.
Pharmacist John F. Wallace (1861-1966) moved to Teague in 1908. He lived at this address as early as 1912 and built this house for his family about 1928. John F. Wallace represented Freestone County in the Texas House of Representatives from 1921 . . . — — Map (db m171482) HM
Near Cemetery Road, 0.2 miles west of County Highway 853.
Outstanding educator, scholar, civic leader, and historian. Born in Paris (Tex.), son of W.J. and Elizabeth Kilpatrick Notley. Took B.A. and M.A. degrees, University of Texas. Served as teacher and school administrator, 1912-53. Chairman of . . . — — Map (db m171486) HM
On County Highway 731, 1.2 miles east of Farm to Market Road 80.
Among oldest in county. Founded Dec. 3, 1853, by the Lee families, Elders Thomas Dossey and C.T. Echols certifying to constitution of church. Elder Dossey named it. Five-acre site given by W.H. McSwane family. First building of logs was replaced . . . — — Map (db m171526) HM
On South 3rd Avenue at Elm Street, on the right when traveling south on South 3rd Avenue.
Important Texas transportation artery. Chartered as Trinity & Brazos Valley Railway. Nicknamed for special trains roaring down its tracks, taking men to "Boll Weevil Conferences" - in turn of century alarm over pests attacking cotton and the . . . — — Map (db m171484) HM
On South 10th Avenue at Pine Street, on the right when traveling south on South 10th Avenue.
Built 1906 in Brewer (now Teague). Builder (b. 1848 - d. 1918) was son of a Methodist preacher who was also a Confederate Army surgeon in Civil War; in turn was father and grandfather of doctors. Came to Texas 1866; became a planter, church . . . — — Map (db m171485) HM
On South 3rd Avenue at Elm Street, on the right when traveling south on South 3rd Avenue.
In 1905 this town was a drowsy country village called Brewer - named for 1835 Land Grantee Green Berry Brewer. It had been settled in the 1870s. Prosperity rolled into Brewer in 1906, however, when the Trinity & Brazos Valley Railroad selected . . . — — Map (db m171483) HM
Near Cemetery Road, 0.2 miles west of County Highway 853.
Licensed to practice law at age 19; became Teague’s first mayor at 21. Regional manager of U.S. Chamber of Commerce during World War I. Joined the American Petroleum Institute in 1920, rising to positions of executive vice president, 1928-1941, . . . — — Map (db m171504) HM
Near North 3rd Street (State Highway 14) 0.1 miles north of West Canadian Avenue (County Highway 1010).
Born near Wortham. As a young street musician, played a guitar and sang spirituals and blues. Composed many of his songs, and had a distinctive vocal style. From Dallas' Deep Elm District went to Chicago in 1920's with a talent scout; made 79 . . . — — Map (db m158925) HM
Situated on grant given 1834 by Mexico to Robert B. Longbotham (1797-1883), a Texas colonist from England who settled here in 1839. Years later, in 1871, when Houston & Texas Central Railway was planned through the area, R. B. Longbotham sold . . . — — Map (db m145019) HM
Near Cemetery Road, 0.4 miles west of South 3rd Street (State Highway 14), on the right when traveling west.
One of nine children of the Rev. Henry Haggard, Baptist Minister, and his wife Dorothy (Randolph), both natives of Virginia. Born in U.S. Territory south of the Ohio river (now Tennessee), Lucy Haggard moved to Alabama Territory about 1814. There, . . . — — Map (db m158951) HM
Near Cemetery Road, 0.5 miles west of South 3rd Street (State Highway 14).
Born in Sunderland, England.
Came to America as Carpenter's Apprentice on a ship. Married Lucy Haggard, 1820, in Alabama. Came to Texas, 1832. Obtained land grant from Mexico 1835. In 1836 fought in Texas Revolution and in 1839 in Indian Wars. In . . . — — Map (db m158950) HM
On West Main Street at North 3rd Street (State Highway 14), on the left when traveling west on West Main Street.
Born in Hickory, Miss. Family came to Texas, 1864. Preached his first sermon in 1880. Was ordained in 1890. Helped organize and was charter member of the Wortham Methodist Church. Instrumental in organizing area churches and serving their people. . . . — — Map (db m158938) HM
The city of Wortham rejected a well drilled by C. L. Witherspoon in 1912 when it produced gas, not water. However, oil and gas wells in 1919-23 gave prosperity to neighbors north and south, and petroleum exploration began here.
Discovery well . . . — — Map (db m145020) HM
On West Main Street at North 3rd Street (State Highway 14), on the left when traveling west on West Main Street.
Congregation organized in 1867 by the Rev. J. Hill Bounds, an immigrant from Mississippi who brought his family to Texas by ox-wagon in 1865. At frist this church, as well as others in Wortham, shared a two-story building with the local Masonic . . . — — Map (db m158930) HM
