Following the American Civil War and emancipation of slaves in 1865, it was not until 1871 that African Americans in Texas were able to uniformly register to vote, following the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. . . . — — Map (db m304441) HM
This community traces its origin to the establishment by entrepreneur Thomas M. West of a stagecoach stop, dry goods store and post office here in the late 1860s. Known as the Bold Springs Settlement, these commercial structures were built on a . . . — — Map (db m60001) HM
Arkansas native John Silas Edens (b. December 15, 1820) arrived in present-day Houston County, Texas, in 1831. He served in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836 then joined the Texas Rangers and participated in several Indian campaigns in 1841. He . . . — — Map (db m212114) HM
Chatfield, a prosperous farming community, was the site of the organization of the Baptist General Association of Texas on July 17, 1868. Originating in the mid-1840s as a trading post established near a spring by Indian trader Norman Chatfield, it . . . — — Map (db m217188) HM
In 1834 Alexander McKinza moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, from his native Alabama. During the Texas War for Independence, he joined the Sabine Volunteers under Capt. Benjamin F. Bryant and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. McKinza . . . — — Map (db m203523) 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
Iowa born family came to Texas 1839. Gained experience with Indians in central Texas while father was Indian agent. Led reservation Indians in campaigns against Comanches. As Ranger company captain in 1855 he killed the noted Comanche Chief Peta . . . — — Map (db m50296) HM
Born at nearby McGregor, Texas, Pat M. Neff was the ninth child of Noah and Isabella (Shepherd) Neff. He was educated at Baylor University and the University of Texas Law School. As a young Waco lawyer, Neff was elected to the Texas House of . . . — — Map (db m225968) HM
Fertile soil, good water, and available rail transportation attracted cotton farmers to this area after the Civil War. They were soon joined by German settlers from Washington County led by the Rev. Friedrick von Schleumbach. A nearby postal station . . . — — Map (db m208793) HM
Following the American Civil War and Emancipation of slaves in 1865, it was not until 1867 that African Americans in Texas were able to uniformly register to vote, following the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. . . . — — Map (db m300108) HM
General Lawrence Sullivan ‘Sul’ Ross, CSA, was born in Bentonsport, Iowa, Van Buren County on September 27, 1838. His family moved to Texas in 1839, where he grew to manhood.
In 1859, Sul Ross was commissioned a Captain in the Texas Rangers, . . . — — Map (db m2565) HM
This congregation traces its origin to the establishment in 1858 of the Onion Creek Baptist Church (10 miles SW at present-day Eagle Springs, Coryell County). Members of the Onion Creek congregation later organized the Comanche Springs Baptist . . . — — Map (db m217512) HM
Four families formed a Christian Church in nearby Comanche Springs in the 1870s, with the Rev. W.L. Harrison as first pastor. In 1883 members moved to the new railroad town of McGregor and built a church on Main Street in 1884. There were 80 members . . . — — Map (db m217513) HM
On September 7, 1882, lots in the town of McGregor Springs were sold at public auction. The event had been advertised statewide by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad and the Texas and St. Louis Railway. The community was named for Dr. Gregor . . . — — Map (db m217514) HM
In 1904, the McGregor Mirror was founded by T.E. Streight (1870-1910). A young type setter, Charles "Chas" B. Hall (1887-1964), went to work at the Mirror when it opened. Later, he and his wife, Lillian "Lillie" (Spross) Hall . . . — — Map (db m217518) HM
Many of the people responsible for the establishment of this Lutheran congregation were German immigrants who entered Texas primarily through the port of Galveston and migrated to the rich farmland of central Texas. As early as 1890, families began . . . — — Map (db m217509) HM
In 1903, eight local families formed a German Lutheran Church, later known as Friedens Evangelical and Reformed United Church of Christ. Associated with the church, a burial ground was also established on this property, which was donated by Philip . . . — — Map (db m208796) HM
Kellum and Rotan, Wholesale Grocers
Originally based in East Waco on the opposite side of the Brazos River from downtown Waco, W. R. Kellum established his wholesale grocery business and employed Edward Rotan there. Within two months, Rotan . . . — — Map (db m271445) HM
German immigrants helped settle Riesel in the late 19th century. In July 1903, eight families organized the Friedens (Peace) Church. After meeting in a schoolhouse, the congregation built its own sanctuary two miles east of Riesel (present . . . — — Map (db m208794) HM
This community has historic ties to the settlement of White Rock (1 Mi. W), one of the earliest in McLennan County. When the rail terminus was established here in 1873, bypassing White Rock, residents moved to the new town that developed. It was . . . — — Map (db m212152) HM
Created January 22, 1850. Organized August 5, 1850. Named in honor of Neil McLennan 1787-1867. Came to Texas in 1835. Located on the Bosque River in 1840. Built the first dwelling a log cabin, in McLennan County Waco, the county seat. — — Map (db m268543) 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
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 m224317) HM
Pioneer Texan for whom McLennan County was named. Born on the Isle of Skye, Scotland Sept. 2, 1787. Came to Texas in 1834 died in 1867. Mrs. Neil McLennan born in North Carolina August, 1797 died in 1871. — — Map (db m268546) HM
Located in an area of McLennan County once inhabited by Tonkawa Indians, the community of Crawford grew slowly from an 1850s settlement centered around Tonk Crossing (two miles northeast). The first townsite was at the crossroads of the Waco to . . . — — Map (db m88484) HM
The history of McLennan County, like that of Texas and the nation, clouded by racial tensions, is sometimes manifested in violence. From 1860 through 1922, 43 lynchings were documented here. Following reconstruction, laws were instituted that . . . — — Map (db m268784) 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
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
Once known as Sugar Loaf, this bluff overlooking Pond Creek was a landmark to early settlers in the area. In 1835, Neil McLennan, a native of Scotland, built his home here on land that had been granted to him as a member of Sterling Clack . . . — — Map (db m293295) HM
Spivey Crossing is a farming community located along the Brazos River Valley. Established as early as 1854, Spivey Crossing was an old wagon trail crossing named for Temple Spivey, the first known settler of the Smith Bend community of Bosque . . . — — Map (db m161715) HM
The Rev. Thomas D. Suttle (1840-1900) and 18 Baptists assembled on April 28, 1878, under a large elm tree at the present site of Mart City Cemetery (1 Mi.SE). There they organized the first church in the town of Mart, originally named Willow . . . — — Map (db m208836) HM
In Jan. 1878, local Baptist met at H.J. Breland's home to hear the Rev. C.C. Hardwick preach.Three months later, on April 28, 1878, eighteen Baptists gathered under a large elm tree at this site to organize the first church in the community of . . . — — Map (db m208837) HM
Ruff Watson (1879-1950) bought this site in 1903 and established the R. Watson Feed Store. He offered a variety of goods and services, including feed, seed, wood and coal, as well as a slaughterhouse, butcher shop and leather goods store. He built . . . — — Map (db m208834) HM
The Rev. S.G. O'Bryan organized this church in Nov. 1854. Frank Broadus, N.W. Crain, W.S. Gill, Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Kellum, Henry Rogers, and Mr. and Mrs. S.F. Sparks were charter members. They met in a log schoolhouse, and later at Bosqueville . . . — — Map (db m203535) HM
Burials began here as early as 1850 on 10 acres given by Little Berry White for a school and cemetery. A log schoolhouse at this site in 1853-54 served the Methodist and Baptist churches as a meeting place. Some of the unmarked graves were those of . . . — — Map (db m203520) HM
Before organizing in 1853 this congregation met in homes. The following year services were held in the New Oakwood schoolhouse and later in the Bosqueville College. In 1875, under the leadership of the Rev. W. T. Melugin, the first building was . . . — — Map (db m203518) HM
Named for and dedicated by Lt. Gen. Arthur MacArthur, U.S.A., veteran of Civil War, outstanding officer in Philippines, 1898-1902, father of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.
Founded July 18, 1917, to train 32nd Division, National Guard, in first world . . . — — Map (db m203539) HM
In 1868 a congregation of Methodists living in the Bell and McLennan County region between Elm and Bull Hide Creeks erected a simple sanctuary at the site of a nearby cedar log toll bridge. The Rev. James Peeler, a Waco district Methodist Circuit . . . — — Map (db m150653) 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 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
Physician, humanitarian, civil rights advocate and concerned citizen Dr. James Lee Dickey (d. 1959) had a profound effect on the quality of life in his adopted hometown of Taylor. Born in McLennan County in 1893, he attended Waco public schools . . . — — Map (db m3087) HM
Thin black lines indicate changes in relevance. Between each pair of lines entries are ordered geographically but all have the same relevance.
* Inflectional forms of words are their plurals, singulars, and possessives as well as gramatical tenses and similar variations.
