Organizer-commander of the famous "Flying Tigers" of the China-Burma-India theater in World War II. An outstanding air strategist, Chennault had retired from a pioneer flying career when, in 1937, he was asked by Gen. Chaing Kai-Shek to help . . . — — Map (db m286214) HM
The first American Legion Post in Texas was established at Commerce in 1919, the same year the veterans organization was begun nationally. Inspired by the funeral of Private Albert A. Barrow, who had served in World War I, Dr. W. B. DeJernett . . . — — Map (db m119792) HM
Two Methodist congregations, Lebanon (1.5 mi. E) and Mt. Zion (5 mi. SE), served the earliest settlers of the Commerce area. As the community grew, local Methodists began worshiping in a schoolhouse on Pecan Street. In 1881, four years before . . . — — Map (db m165675) HM
The U. S. Treasury Department began construction of this building in July 1917, during the country's involvement in World War I. Completed in August 1918 after a number of construction delays, it served as the city's main post office facility until . . . — — Map (db m119807) HM
Educator William L. Mayo (1861-1917) established East Texas
Normal College in Cooper (16 mi. NE) in 1889 as a private school
to train teachers. After an 1894 fire destroyed the single
college building, Mayo moved his institution to . . . — — Map (db m165679) HM
Organized with nine charter members, this congregation began on Nov. 15, 1883, as the Missionary Baptist Church of Commerce. Services were held in a Union Church building until 1883, when the first sanctuary was built. As the congregation outgrew . . . — — Map (db m119808) HM
During the 1850s a number of families from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) settled in the Commerce area and began worshiping together. Services were held in the schoolhouse built on land purchased from William Jernigin in 1872 and later . . . — — Map (db m165682) HM
In November 1888 seventeen charter members joined with the Rev. J. C. Grow (1841-1903) to organize the First Presbyterian Church of Commerce. The congregation met in the town's Union Church until their own wooden frame sanctuary was completed in . . . — — Map (db m165681) HM
A monthly music "convention" founded in 1885 or 1890 by this church, at old location (1/2 mile east.) Began when G.J. Oslin of Arkansas held a 20-day music school here. Singers came from wide area; a tuning fork was used to give pitch until . . . — — Map (db m279961) HM
Originally located in Cooper, East Texas Normal College moved to Commerce in 1894 following a devastating fire that destroyed the first and only campus building. The fire was one of many occurrences that prompted President Mayo to relocate the . . . — — Map (db m120187) HM
The events leading up to the incorporation of the city of Commerce can be traced to the 1853 establishment of Josiah H. Jackson's general store about one and one-half miles northeast of this site. The village that developed around his store was . . . — — Map (db m120030) HM
A Tennessee native and former Arkansas legislator, William Jernigin (1819-80) came to Hunt County in 1856. A pioneer merchant in the nearby village of Cow Hill, he moved to this vicinity in 1872 and opened a mercantile store (1 blk. . . . — — Map (db m119793) HM
John Thomas Knight (1861-1959), born in Winnsboro, moved to Commerce in 1878. He married Ella Virginia Carter in 1893, and the couple raised nine children in their home on Mangum Street. John was a prominent civic and business leader. He was a . . . — — Map (db m165668) HM
Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas 1839. In 1850s opened Jackson's Store, 1 mi. NE of here, starting "Cow Hill," a village with race track, blacksmith shop, other stores. He became postmaster and renamed place Ashland, 1873. But moved post office . . . — — Map (db m165672) HM
Serving Commerce since 1896, Mt. Moriah Temple Baptist Church has been an influential and vital institution since its organization. The congregation has its roots in the Cypress District Association, which formed in 1872 to organize congregations . . . — — Map (db m165674) HM
Designed by Greenville architects George Lindsey and Roy Kilmer in 1927, the President's House was built on land purchased from Daniel and Annie Bachman. The house exhibits an understated adaptation of Georgian revival style elements in its dark . . . — — Map (db m165670) HM
Jointly owned Methodist and Baptist edifice. The two congregations hold united communion, Sunday School services; share up-keep. Pastors alternate Sundays. Partnership began 1893. Moved here 1927 and built present building. Named for branch that . . . — — Map (db m279960) HM
In 1893 the Missionary Baptist Church erected a sanctuary here on 5 acres they acquired from George Lawson in 1887. The church sold the property in 1912. In 1913 the Commerce Church of Christ acquired the property and in 1923 they modified and . . . — — Map (db m119810) HM
By 1883, the scholastic population of Commerce had outgrown the public school which opened ten years earlier. Land at this site, purchased by the Commerce Educational Assoc., was chosen for a new schoolhouse. The first building here, a two-story . . . — — Map (db m119812) HM
