This two-story galleried Greek Revival residence was built about 1872 by German native William Ahrenbeck (1828-1888). A prominent area civic leader and builder, he also served as postmaster and mayor of Hempstead. His daughter Ella Justine Ahrenbeck . . . — — Map (db m117605) HM
During the Civil War, a Confederate training camp was built on Colonel Leonard W. Groce's Liendo Plantation. Camp Groce was north of the railroad and east of Clear Creek. Later Camp Groce was converted to a prisoners of war camp for Union . . . — — Map (db m158307) HM
Although no physical evidence has been found of the Confederate camp sites in this area, historical accounts have established that this part of Waller County was the location of several Civil War encampments. The close proximity of Clear Creek, the . . . — — Map (db m74263) HM
Methodism in Hempstead began circa 1857, shortly after the Hempstead town company was founded in December of 1856 to sell lots in the new town. Church histories indicate that an 1859 revival added members to the existing Methodist congregation, . . . — — Map (db m159306) HM
Before the age of modern communication, the postal system was a vital link between isolated rural settlements. Early Waller County post offices were often located in a residence or general store near the local church, gristmill, cotton gin, or . . . — — Map (db m125606) HM
Soon after the Civil War General George Armstrong Custer and his cavalry unit arrived in Texas as part of a large U.S. force sent to establish order and counter the threat posed by French-controlled Mexico. From August to October, 1865, Custer, his . . . — — Map (db m117799) HM
Pioneers in this Texas area. Had early cotton gin and ferry. Founder of family was Jared E. Groce (1782-1836), who came to Texas in 1822. His large wagon train brought elaborate plantation equipment. Groce built "Bernardo" and "Groce's Retreat." . . . — — Map (db m74265) HM
When the town of Hempstead was founded in 1856, a centrally located school site was platted, however, no school building was erected until after the Civil War (1861-65) and ensuing era of economic stress. There were several private schools . . . — — Map (db m159341) HM
Front:
Major Civil War center in Texas with railroad, troop training, manufacturing, and supply activity. Training camps Groce and Hebert kept troops in readiness to move by rail to Houston and thence to the coast of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas . . . — — Map (db m125608) HM
A plantation home built in 1853 by Leonard W. Groce. The scene for many years of lavish Southern hospitality. Purchased March 4, 1873, by Dr. Edmund Duncan Montgomery (1835-1911), world-famed philosopher, and his wife, Elisabet Ney (1833-1907), . . . — — Map (db m126528) HM
Named for Spanish grandee who was first owner of the 5-league survey here.
Leonard W. Groce, a settler, in 1853 built this 16-room home using slave labor. Bricks for foundation and chimneys were made from Brazos Valley clay.
The kitchen . . . — — Map (db m126529) HM
Came to Waller County as a runaway slave from Alabama before Civil War. Married Betty Bradford, of Woodard Plantation, Hempstead; had 8 children. A talented Blacksmith, he specialized in improving farm implements; became a landowner, Freedmen's . . . — — Map (db m159398) HM
This burial ground originally served the family of T. B. White. His wife Elizabeth (d. 1857) and her father Henry Kirby (d. 1854) are interred here. White sold ten adjoining acres to the Salem Association in 1853 as a site for construction of a . . . — — Map (db m159406) HM
Member of the consultation in 1835 • Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence • First mayor of the City of Austin • Member of the Secession Convention in 1861 • On this property, acquired during the Republic, he resided from 1846 for many . . . — — Map (db m159302) HM
Five miles southeast to the camp site of the Texas Army March 31 to April 13, 1836 when it crossed the Brazos on the steamboat Yellow Stone and began its march toward Harrisburg — — Map (db m159312) HM
The clock tower provides a permanent home for the 1894 bell and clock, both of which at one time were important functional adornments to the Waller County Courthouse
Arthur Osborne Watson designed the 1894 Courthouse and M. Clark of Galveston . . . — — Map (db m159397) HM
Several Confederate military facilities were positioned near Hempsted (2.5 mi. W), an important railroad junction, during the Civil War. Camp Groce (then about 6 mi. E) was a prisoner-of-war stockade established on the plantation of Leonard . . . — — Map (db m164073) HM
Created from Austin and Grimes counties, April 28, and organized Aug. 16, 1873. Named for Edwin Waller (1800-1861), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836; Postmaster General, Texas Republic; First mayor of Austin.
Site of rich . . . — — Map (db m125605) HM
