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
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
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
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
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 Indian . . . — — Map (db m181933) 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
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 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 for . . . — — 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
