Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section).
Broaddus, Andrew S., Judge | Burleson County | Burleson County | Burleson County, C.S.A. | Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum | Burleson County Historical Museum | Burleson County in the Texas War for Independence | Caldwell, City of | Caldwell, City of | Camino Real, Site of | Chisholm Cattle Trail, An Arm of | Chriesman, Horatio | Cooks Point | Fort Oldham | Fort Tenoxtitlan | Fort Tenoxtitlan | Somerville Historical Museum | Thomson, Alexander | Yegua Creek
Broaddus, Andrew S., Judge
Marker Title: Near Homesite of Judge Andrew S. Broaddus
City: Cooks Point
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1971
Marker Location: NE corner of SH 21 & FM 1362 intersection
Cooks Point.
Marker Text: Noted pioneer leader. Member Virginia House of Delegates
(1844-45). Piloted to Texas (1854) a mile-long wagon train of 200 people,
who built Salem Baptist Church-- reminder of their Virginia home. Broaddus
debated the Hon. Sam Houston at Waugh Campground (8 Mi. W), 1857. He
served in 1861 in Texas Secession Convention; 9th (1861-63) Texas Legislature;
13th Texas Legislature (1873); also on commission to locate and build
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical College (now university); judge,
32nd District (1874-75; 1879-80). Married twice, had 13 children. (1971)
Burleson County
Marker Title: Burleson County
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: SE Corner (in traffic triangle) of the intersection
of SH 21 & SH 36 Caldwell.
Marker Text: Farmed Early as 1744 by Indians under guidance of
Spanish missionaries. In 1830, Ft. Tenoxtitlan, guarding Brazos crossing,
San Antonio Road, attracted Anglo-Texans, who lived off wild game in
early years. County created and organized in 1846. Named for Gen. Edward
Burleson (1798-1851), veteran of Battle of San Jacinto; Indian fighter;
Republic of Texas vice-president and senator, later a state senator.
County seat, Caldwell (named for Mathew Caldwell, signer of Declaration
of Independence). During the Civil War, furnished troops, cotton and
food to Confederate Texas. (1965)
Burleson County
Marker Title: Burleson County
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: Courthouse Square Echols @ Buck St., Caldwell.
Marker Text: In rich Brazos River basin; had settlers early as
1825. Site in 1830 of Tenoxtitlan, one of 3 forts built by Mexico in
Texas, situated above El Camino Real (The King's Highway) crossing on
Brazos River. North of the road was Sterling Robertson's Colony; south,
the colony of Stephen F. Austin. In 1840 on the Old Road, Civil Engineer
George B. Erath (1813-1891) platted town of Caldwell, named for noted
Indian fighter Mathew ("Old Paint") Caldwell. In 1846, Erath
introduced in First Legislature of State of Texas a bill creating Burleson
County out of land then in Milam and Washington counties. It was named
for Gen. Edward Burleson (1793-1851), under whom many local men had
fought in the Texas War for Independence and in Indian Wars. Gen. Burleson
was a congressman, senator and vice president of the Republic of Texas;
also was in first State Senate. Plantation system prevailed until Civil
War (1861-1865). Burleson lost some area when Lee County was created
in 1874. In 1880 the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway built into
county; soon afterward, Houston & Texas Central added more rail
mileage. This is fourth courthouse for county. Economy is based on farming,
oil, and miscellaneous products. (1970)
Burleson County C.S.A.
Marker Title: Burleson County C.S.A.
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1973
Marker Location: Courthouse Lawn Fox @ Main St. Caldwell.
Marker Text: On Feb. 23, 1861, citizens voted for secession,
422 to 84. On March 1, the "Burleson Guards" organized and
offered its services to the state. Most "Guards" were mustered
into Co.G, 2nd Texas Infantry Regt., and others served in Walker's Texas
Division, Waul's Legion, Terry's Rangers, and Hood's Brigade. On the
home front, the 3rd Regt., 18th Brigade, Texas State Troops, was organized
to protect local citizens, and the County Commissioners Court provided
funds to supply food and other necessities to the families of soldiers
fighting in the war. (1973)
Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum
Museum Name: Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum
City: Caldwell
Zip Code: 77836
Street Address: 212 A W Buck
Area Code: 409
Phone: 535-4895
County: Burleson
Burleson County Historical Museum
Museum Name: Burleson County Historical Museum
Mailing Address: Courthouse
City: Caldwell
Zip Code: 77836
Street Address: 100 E Buck Street
Area Code: 409
Phone: 567-4226
County: Burleson
Burleson County in the Texas War for Independence
Marker Title: Early Settlers of Burleson County in the
Texas War for Independence
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1973
Marker Location: Courthouse Lawn Main @ Fox St., Caldwell.
Marker Text: When Mexican Dictator Santa Anna revoked national
rights, 30 or more men from this sparsely settled area left to resist
his armies in Grass Fight (Nov. 26, 1835), Siege of Bexar (Dec. 5-9)
and other actions. While able men were absent, the foe came within 40
miles of here, pillaging the country. Civilians fled over the swollen
Brazos, toward safety in the United States. Their men on April 21, 1836,
helped win Battle of San Jacinto and Independence. Some were in Regular
Infantry Company A; Companies C, F, and H, 1st Regiment, and 4th Company,
2nd Regiment, Texas Volunteers. (1973)
Caldwell, City of
Marker Title: City of Caldwell
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: At Hill & Buck St. (N. E. Corner on Brick
Bldg), Caldwell.
Marker Text: Founded 1840 by Lewis L. Chiles, a veteran of Battle
of San Jacinto. Named for Mathew "Old Paint" Caldwell, Indian
fighter and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. This was
county seat, Milam County, in 1845; since 1846 county seat of Burleson
County. Home, Burleson county fair. (1967)
Caldwell, City of
Marker Title: City of Caldwell
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1982
Marker Location: Courthouse Square Echols @ Buck St. Caldwell.
Marker Text: In 1840 the Republic of Texas Congress annexed to
Milam County all of Washington County north of Yegua Creek and west
of the Brazos River. The name Caldwell, which honored Mathew "Old
Paint" Caldwell, a noted pioneer and a signer of the Texas Declaration
of Independence, was chosen for a settlement that would become the seat
of a future county. Following a land title dispute, this site was selected
for the proposed town. Located on the Old San Antonio Road, it had been
settled earlier by Virginia native Lewis L. Chiles, a veteran of the
Battle of San Jacinto who had operated a trading post on Davidson Creek.
George B. Erath platted the town of Caldwell in 1840. Streets running
parallel to the Old San Antonio road were named for native animals and
intersecting streets were named for the commissioners who had selected
the townsite. When Burleson County was created six years later, Caldwell
became the permanent seat of government. Incorporated in 1891, Caldwell
developed as a major agricultural shipping center with the completion
of area rail lines in 1890 and 1912. Since the 1840s the city has played
a vital role in the region through its steady commercial growth and
rich heritage. (1892)
Camino Real, Site of
Marker Title: Site of Camino Real
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1968
Marker Location: From Caldwell, take SH 21 about 9.4 mi. W. to
marker in roadside park on S. side of road.
Marker Text: (The old San Antonio Road) Great thoroughfare of
early Texas. Following ancient Indian and buffalo paths, sometimes on
same course as 1691 "Trail of the Padres", stretches 1,000
miles from Saltillo, Mexico, to present Louisiana. Highway for explorers,
traders, smugglers, adventurers, settlers and armies. Was surveyed about
1800 and given name of "King's Highway". Here, as in some
other areas, the modern highway follows historic El Camino Real. Also,
in this particular area, El Camino Real marked boundary between the
major early 19th century colonies of Stephen F. Austin and Sterling
C. Robertson. (1968)
Chisholm Cattle Trail, An Arm of the
Marker Title: An Arm of the Chisholm Cattle Trail
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Marker Location: From Caldwell, take SH 21 W about 8 mi to marker
on N. side of road.
Marker Text: The Chisholm Trail, which was developed following
the Civil War, allowed Texas cattle to be driven to railheads in Kansas
for shipment to eastern markets. An arm of the celebrated route, reaching
from Matagorda County to the main trail near present McGregor, passed
through this area. With the establishment of James L. Dean's store,
later the site of Deanville, and the White Inn, the trail became a significant
commercial road. Vital to the development of Burleson County's cattle
industry, it declined in use after rail lines reached the area in the
late 1870s. (1981)
Chriesman, Horatio
Marker Title: Horatio Chriesman
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Location: Chriesman Cemetery - from Caldwell, take
SH 36 NW about 6.2 mi. to CR 328, EO E about 1/2 mi. to cemetery.
Marker Text: Colonial statesman, Methodist lay leader,
pioneer in Burleson County. Came to Texas in 1822 from Kentucky. Had
office of surveyor, Austin's Colony, 1823-1836; was a military officer
in Indian conflicts and also army of Gen. Sam Houston during Texas War
for independence; in 1837 served on commission to choose site of Capital,
Texas Republic. Married first Mary Kincheloe; after her death, Augusta
Hope. He had eleven children. Recorded 1969.
Cooks Point
Marker Title: Cooks Point
City: Cooks Point
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1969
Marker Location: NE corner of SH 21 & FMM 1362 intersection
Cooks Point.
Marker Text: Founded about 1840 where colonial road from southeast
crossed San Antonio Road. Settler Gabriel Jackson had two-story log
cabin-trading post here. Community was named for Silas L. Cooke, who
surveyed much land in this vicinity. It is now a thriving rural village.
(1969)
Fort Oldham
Marker Title: Fort Oldham
City: Cooks Point
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1973
Marker Location: On FM 1362 near intersection with CR 226 about
2.5 miles SW of Cooks Point.
Marker Text: Built 1836-37 by pioneers who took refuge with William
Oldham (1798?-1868), Infantry major in Texas War for Independence. The
fort stabilized the area, as dozens lived there in seasons of Indian
raids, and eventually preachers who helped found early church. By 1838,
Fort Oldham had a post office and was a stopping place on Independence-Tenoxtitlan
Road. Maj. Oldham joined Somervell and Mier Expeditions (1842) to counter
Mexican raids into Texas. Captured by the foe, he escaped, fought way
through perils, and returned home. He amassed fortune in land surrounding
fort site.
In the early part of May, Joseph Reed and Dr. Bigham were killed near William Oldham's home. The May 30th issue of Telegraph and Texas Register reported the fight.
Fort Tenoxtitlan
Marker Title: Fort Tenoxtitlan
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: From Caldwell take SH 21 E about 5 miles to
roadside park on S side of road.
Marker Text: Founded by Mexico as a bulwark against Anglo-American
immigration, this fort and its nearby city were twice proposed for the
capital of Texas. Alarmed by the influx of Anglo settlers into Texas,
Mexico in 1830 sought to erect a line of forts to keep out the intruders.
The ancient Aztec name for Mexico City (originally pronounced "Tex-ox-teet-lan")
was given this site; it means "prickly pear place". So hopeful
of the fort's success was the military commandant of the region that
he envisioned it as the capital of Texas. But Anglo immigration did
not cease. Instead it thrived on the friendship of the local soldiers
and incoming pioneers. The colonizer Sterling C. Robertson introduced
scores of settlers. In 1832 the soldiers were withdrawn and the fort
finally defaulted to the Anglos. Subsequently it was a supply center
and mustering point for expeditions against the Indians. During its
brief life many Texas patriots lived here, including 5 signers of the
Texas Declaration of Independence, a martyr of the Alamo siege, and
7 soldiers of the Battle of San Jacinto. Tenoxtitlan was again suggested
for the capital of Texas during the Republic, but Austin won out. In
1841, after many Indian raids, the site was abandoned.
Fort Tenoxtitlan
Marker Title: Fort Tenoxtitlan
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: From Caldwell take SH 21 E about 6 miles to
FM 1362, go N. about 8 miles to CR 338, go E. about 1.5 miles to double
gate - marker is about 1/2 mile S. across creek.
Marker Text: 2000 feet south, site of Fort Tenoxtitlan established
by the Mexican government in July, 1830, in an attempt to stem Anglo-American
settlement. Named in honor of the Aztec capital, now Mexico City. Abandoned
by Mexican troops in 1832. In the town which grew up after 1834 many
prominent Texans lived. The place passed from the map after 1860.
Somerville Historical Museum
Museum Name: Somerville Historical Museum
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 782
City: Somerville
Zip Code: 77879
Street Address: Ave. B - Corner of Hwy. 36 and 1361
Area Code: 409
Phone: 593-1604
County: Burleson
Alexander Thomson
Marker Title: Alexander Thomson
City: Caldwell
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1972
Marker Text: (August 29, 1785 - June 1, 1863) A leader in colonizing
Texas. Born in St. Matthew's Parish, S. C.; lived also in Georgia, then
in Tennessee where in 1830 he became partner of the Empresario in development
of the Sterling C. Robertson Colony. Conducting a number of families
who had signed agreements to settle in the Robertson Colony, he crossed
into Texas and came to Nacogdoches three days after Mexican officials
there received notice of 1830 law requiring passports of immigrants.
After Thomson tried unsuccessfully to have rule waived for hardship
reasons, the party bypassed Nacogdoches, making a new trail often used
afterward and known as the Tennesseans' Road. Thomson lived for a time
in Austin's Colony, representing District of Hidalgo (now Washington
County) at Texas Convention of 1832. By 1835, when he was Consultation
Delegate from Viesca (later Milam Municipality), he was living and serving
as official surveyor in Robertson's Colony. Still a leader, he was Robertson's
executor in 1842. Married twice, father of 13, he was ancestor of many
noted Texans, including Thaddeus A. Thomson, United States envoy to
Colombia and signer of the Thomson-Urrutia Treaty in 1914. Alexander
Thomson is buried in Thomson Family Cemetery one mile to the northeast.
Yegua Creek
Marker Title: Yegua Creek
City: Somerville
County: Burleson
Year Marker Erected: 1976
Marker Location: On SH 36, just S of Somerville, in roadside
park on W side of 36 .
Marker Text: In 1690 the Spanish gave the name "San Francisco"
to this 62-mile Brazos River tributary; but on an 1822 map, Stephen
F. Austin, "Father of Texas", marked it "Yegua",
Spanish for "mare". Mustang mares and foals then grazed among
the Indians on the timbered creek. In 1826, colonist John P. Coles built
a mill on the stream. A measure signed in 1837 by Texas President Sam
Houston made the Yegua a county boundary. Floods often devastated the
area until Lake Somerville harnessed Yegua's waters in 1967. Now a recreation
area, the lake and creek benefit crops, wild life, and vacationers.