World's largest Baptist University. Founded under charter issued by Congress of Republic of Texas on Feb. 1, 1845, and in continuous operation ever since.
Named for Judge R. E. B. Baylor (1791-1873), a native of Kentucky, an 1820s United . . . — — Map (db m180289) HM
Sent by the Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar to establish trade and expand Texas' legal boundaries, the members of the 1841 Texan Santa Fe Expedition met with a number of hardships endeavoring to carry out their mission. On July 6, . . . — — Map (db m157032) HM
The city of Waco in the 1890s divided into two armed camps over the caustic criticisms of William Cowper Brann (1855-1898) in his magazine, "The Iconoclast". A gifted writer, Brann attacked many organizations, especially Baptists and Baylor . . . — — Map (db m84679) HM
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson was the first president of Baylor's Waco Campus and Burleson Quadrangle was named in his honor. With the completion of Baylor's four original buildings - Old Main (1886), Georgia Burleson Hall (1888), The F. L. Carroll Chapel . . . — — Map (db m183672) HM
In Memory of the Confederate Veterans Buried First Street Cemetery Erected by Appomattox Chapter No 2394 United Daughters of the Confederacy 1976 — — Map (db m178013) WM
Doris (Dorie) Miller was reared on a farm in McClennan County, Texas, and attended Wacos A.J. Moore High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the battleship “USS West Virginia” in 1940. The “West . . . — — Map (db m34637) HM
A native of Virginia John Henry Sears received his medical education in South Carolina. Moving to Waco in 1854, he began his medical practice. After service as a Confederate surgeon during the Civil War, he returned to Waco and became a civic . . . — — Map (db m178515) HM
Pioneer Preacher President of Baylor University Born in Alabama August 7, 1823 Died May 14, 1901
His Wife Georgia J. Burleson Born September 23, 1833 Died June 11, 1924 — — Map (db m178507) HM
Edward Ferdinant Forsgard was born to Swedish immigrants Samuel Johan Forsgard and Mary Johnson in 1870 at their home at 115 Bridge Street in Waco. Edward, known as "Fuzzy," was the only one of the Forsgard's six children to survive into . . . — — Map (db m178184) HM
The first Elite cafe opened in downtown Waco in 1919 and was acquired by the Greek immigrant Colias family in 1920. The Colias brothers opened this Elite cafe in 1941 on "The Circle," a traffic hub built on Waco's suburban edge in the early 1930s. A . . . — — Map (db m68678) HM
Organized in 1851 by the Rev. Noah Byars and four charter members, the First Baptist Church of Waco worshiped in the meetinghouse of the First Methodist Church until their own sanctuary was built at fourth and Mary Streets in 1857. It was destroyed . . . — — Map (db m140725) HM
As the oldest public cemetery in Waco, First Street Cemetery is the resting place for members of Waco's early and diverse community. Burials include veterans, Masons, Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World, Knights and Daughters of Tabor and Court of . . . — — Map (db m178003) HM
In 1850 the Rev. Joseph P. Sneed and 23 charter members founded this congregation, the first church in the townsite of Waco. Services were held initially in a log cabin at Second and Jackson street. The Methodists shared their building with the . . . — — Map (db m130048) HM
One of a trio of brothers -- great grand-nephews of U.S. President Wm. Henry Harrison -- who all gained rank of General in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Richard Harrison was a physician and statesman prior to army service. Won his . . . — — Map (db m177841) HM
Baylor President Rufus Burleson (1823-1901) and his wife Georgia Jenkins Burleson (1833-1924) believed that female education was an important component of the life of Baylor University, and the two provided significant contributions to the cause. . . . — — Map (db m183668) HM
James W. Harris (1863-1897), editor of Waco's "Times -Herald" and Judge George Bruce Gerald (1836-1914) argued over an article the Judge wrote. It supported William Cowper Brann's controversial magazine, "The Iconoclast", which denounced, among . . . — — Map (db m84678) HM
“To those riders who passed this way ... their memories, honored in stone but written in our hearts”
“Across the Brazos at Waco” — — Map (db m94683) HM
Harriet (Hallie) Earle was born on her family's ranch near Waco. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Baylor University, and a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. In 1907 Dr. Earle became the first licensed female . . . — — Map (db m178231) HM
Born to a Jewish family in Spanishtown, Jamaica, British West Indies, Jacob de Cordova immigrated to Philadelphia about 1830. After a brief return to Jamaica where he founded a newspaper, he became engaged in trade between New Orleans and Texas. He . . . — — Map (db m94685) HM
Seat of justice for county organized in 1850 by founders of Waco, to give the young city added strength. Ironically, until the early 20th century, county outstripped city in prosperity.
This courthouse (the county's fourth) was built during . . . — — Map (db m141198) HM
Before Oakwood Cemetery was established here in 1878, this tract of land contained fair grounds and race track. The 157-acre burial ground is successor to "First Street Cemetery", oldest important cemetery in Waco. Many bodies from early . . . — — Map (db m178178) HM
Old Main, completed in 1887, was the first building constructed on the Baylor Campus after the university's move from Independence, Washington County. Because of Baylor's limited resources, the building served as the primary location for both . . . — — Map (db m183666) HM
Ole Knudson was born in 1832 to Knud and Anna Knudson in Nordstokke on Norway's Karmψy Island. In 1850, the family, changing their name to Canuteson, moved to Illinois, where Ole wed Ellen Maline Gunderson, also of Nordstokke. At the urging of . . . — — Map (db m178229) HM
The only father-son generals in the Civil War, except for Robert E. Lee and his son, are buried 1 block south. Gen. Jerome B.Robertson, Commander of Hood's Texas Brigade, Nov. 1862 to Jan. 1864, died in Waco Jan. 7, 1890. His son, Gen. Felix H. . . . — — Map (db m178186) HM
Running along the west bank of the Brazos River, Rotan Drive developed in 1914 as a major new access to William Cameron Park. Beautification of land fronting prominent waterways was a major emphasis of the City Beautiful Movement. The creation of . . . — — Map (db m171574) HM
Born in Klockergarden, Forserum, Sweden, Samuel Johan Forsgard (1828-1912) came to Texas in 1855 during the first wave of Swedish immigration to Texas. In 1857, he married Mary C. Johnson (1827-1897) in Austin and they moved to Waco to make a . . . — — Map (db m178014) HM
Founded in the home of early settler and community namesake Israel Washington Speegle, this historic congregation formally organized in 1850 as Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. It was renamed Speegleville Baptist Church after the members joined with . . . — — Map (db m144945) HM
According to oral tradition, this congregation began in 1886 as an evening Sunday school which met on Elm Street. The Rev. Charlie Gipson served as first pastor. A church building was constructed in 1906, during the pastorate of the Rev. L.M. . . . — — Map (db m177829) HM
Stone contractor John Tennant began this house in 1890, when Waco's cotton-based economy flourished. In 1906 Tennant sold the structure to Ripley Hanrick, a cotton broker, but it remained unfinished. With plans drawn by architect Roy Lane . . . — — Map (db m131557) HM
In January 1850, the Texas Legislature created McLennan County from portions of Robertson and Milam counties, naming it for Neil McLennan, who had settled along the South Bosque River. In September of that year, the Commissioners Court began . . . — — Map (db m141199) HM
In the spring of 1837 the Republic of Texas ordered a battalion of Rangers to occupy the Waco Indian village and it was near this present location that they established the original Fort Fisher. The names of those gallant Rangers are listed below. . . . — — Map (db m178564) HM
Established in 1923 when Dr. Kenneth Hazen Aynesworth donated books to Baylor University, the Texas Collection is a library and archives research center holding a vast compilation of materials about Texas. Dr. Aynesworth (1873-1944) was born in . . . — — Map (db m183670) HM
Before 1875 in Texas, cattle roamed over thousands of acres of public land, and free grazing became a tradition. After 1875, however, an increasing farm populace tended to protect crops and other property with barbed wire fences which were . . . — — Map (db m177985) HM
In 1866 the Waco Bridge Company was granted a 25 year charter to build a toll bridge here. The charter guaranteed that no other bridge or ferry could be
built within five miles. Construction began in 1868 and, after much financial difficulty, was . . . — — Map (db m33216) HM
In 1866 the Waco Bridge Company was granted a 25 year charter to build a toll bridge here. The charter guaranteed that no other bridge or ferry could be built within five miles. Construction began in 1868 and, after much financial difficulty, was . . . — — Map (db m94684) HM
Thomas Hudson Barron, the son of John M. and Susan Mattingly Barron, was born in Virginia. The family moved to Kentucky by 1805. Thomas joined the Kentucky Militia in November 1814 and participated in the Battle of New Orleans. He married . . . — — Map (db m177990) HM
This congregation grew out of a Sunday school class led by the Rev. I. Toliver, a highly-respected Baptist minister and civic leader in Waco's African American community. The Rev. Toliver, for whom the church is named, organized the Toliver Chapel . . . — — Map (db m177825) HM
Site of greatest Indian council in Republic of Texas. There President Sam Houston made famous 1844 peace talks to assembled chiefs. Was "listening post" for frontier. Built and run by George Barnard for Torrey's Trading Company, post in 1844-49 was . . . — — Map (db m84677) HM
Within sight of this spot March 1, 1849, occurred the first sale of town lots at Waco Village, former home of Waco Indians. Shapley P. Ross, first settler started Brazos Ferry in 1850. McLennan County was created same year, named for Neil . . . — — Map (db m177986) HM
Erected by
Henry Downs Chapter
Daughters of
The American Revolution
1849 - May 5 - 1917
Reclaiming the Waco Spring
Famed in Local Tradition
As the Camp Grounds
Of the Waco Indians
And the first crossing
Of the Brazos . . . — — Map (db m94686) HM
The first bridge across the Brazos River
Opened January 7, 1870 as a private toll bridge and at that time the longest (475 ft.) single span suspension bridge in the world
Bought by McLennan County in 1889 and made a public free thoroughfare . . . — — Map (db m198748) HM
Originally founded in 1902 as the East Side Mission by Reverend B.J. Goff, the Wesley United Methodist Church has served Waco for more than 100 years. In the beginning, the congregation met in a storefront and in the old county school building . . . — — Map (db m177831) HM
In 1910, the family of William Cameron donated land and funds to honor the prominent lumber businessman and civic leader who died in 1899. The original 125 acre public park included the popular Proctor Springs area on the west bank of the Brazos . . . — — Map (db m146519) HM
A native of Virginia, William McKendree Lambdin was the son of a Methodist minister. In 1834, he married Phebe G. Lamb, and after her death in 1849 he married Susan A. Thompson (1830-1910) in 1855. Two years later, the Lambdins moved to Texas and . . . — — Map (db m178015) HM