Early settler David Mitchell established a trading post near here in the late 1840s, about the time colonists of W. S. Peters' empresario grant began to settle the area. Colonist William Balch, who settled on an area land grant in 1852, was later . . . — — Map (db m180145) HM
On Glenwood Drive at West Purdom Road on Glenwood Drive.
Two early area families established cemeteries at this site in the 1870s. During that time, the Campbell and Sansom families purchased land in this vicinity. The first documented burial is that of seven-month-old Ula Sansom (d. 1876), who was buried . . . — — Map (db m180142) HM
On East Atchley Avenue at South Spears Street, on the left when traveling east on East Atchley Avenue.
Chartered in 1869, the Alvarado Masonic Lodge began under leadership of A.J. Chambers, J.C. Weaver and Joel Higgins. From its earliest years it offered strong support of local education. The first lodge building provided classroom space, and the . . . — — Map (db m220277) HM
On South Cummings Drive, on the right when traveling south.
William Balch (1804-1870) migrated to Texas from Illinois in 1848 with his wife and family to receive land from the Robertson land district. In 1851 Balch and his sons and grandson arrived in Alvarado to mark their land claim of 320 acres about . . . — — Map (db m180144) HM
On South Parkway Drive, 0.1 miles north of West Cotter Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
This graveyard was established in 1856 adjacent to the Balch Cemetery for the African American population following the death of a slave girl killed by a black bear. The girl had come to Alvarado with George Sigler and his family, whose farm was . . . — — Map (db m220275) HM
On County Highway 206 east of County Highway 206A, on the right when traveling east.
Dr. John Duke (1827-1884), his wife Martha (1836-1888), and their family moved to Johnson County in 1854. they established a farm in the area later called the Willow Springs community. When their ten-year-old daughter Zilla died in 1870, they . . . — — Map (db m146721) HM
On East Henderson Street (U.S. 67) 0.2 miles east of North Cummings Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Settlers came to Alvarado in the 1850s, and area Baptists are believed to have gathered for several years before formally organizing a church on October 6, 1861. Members first met at the community's Union building, shared by a school and three other . . . — — Map (db m220279) HM
On South Spears Street at East Atchley Avenue, on the left when traveling south on South Spears Street.
Held early services in hall put up by Wm. Balch, who in 1851 founded Alvarado. First church, built 1866, burned 1885. This Victorian building with spire and lancet windows, 1886-1887. Annexes 1940, 1950, 1960. Still has original bell. . . . — — Map (db m220276) HM
On Reunion Drive, on the left when traveling west.
One of the largest events of its kind in Texas, the Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion traces its beginnings to 1892, when local farmer and newspaper correspondent John James (1852-1927) proposed the idea to some of his neighbors. . . . — — Map (db m180141) HM
Near this site in 1869, Alvarado citizens ended the lives of outlaws Benjamin Bickerstaff and Josiah Thompson. A former Confederate veteran and prisoner of war, Bickerstaff was wanted for the murder of an African American man in Louisiana shortly . . . — — Map (db m180146) HM
On East Henderson Street (U.S. 67) 0.1 miles west of Purple Heart Trail (Interstate 35W), on the right when traveling west.
William Balch (1804-1870) claimed land around this site as a member of the Peters Colony in 1849. When he returned with his family in 1851, they found a group of Caddo Indians camping on one side of the springs. The Balch family built their cabin on . . . — — Map (db m220280) HM
