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Historical Markers
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this marker.
1. The Taylor County Historical Marker and
Monument.
First marker set in Taylor County, 1955, honoring namesakes of Taylor County.
Location: Old Courthouse, 306 Oak Street, Abilene.
2. Taylor County Organizational Marker.
Taylor County was created in 1858 and named for three Tennesseans, Edward, James, and
George Taylor. They all gave their lives at the Alamo in 1836. Location: Highway 84, 8
miles south of Abilene. Marker set in 1964.
3. Ernie Wilson Museum.
Located in Taylor County's first courthouse and jail. Building was completed in 1880 and
is now a popular tourist spot. Location: Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Marker set in 1964.
4. Miss Clara Bussell Marker.
Miss Bussell worked for the West Texas Chamber of Commerce from 1920 to 1960. She devoted
her life to making West Texas a better place to live. Outstanding Women of Texas series.
Marker set in 1967. Missing.
5. Site of Curfew by John J. Clinton.
Clinton, Abilene's Chief of Police, emptied his revolver on this corner every new Year's
Eve for 37 years, decreeing that saloons close at midnight. Location: South 1st and
Chestnut, Abilene. Marker set in 1967.
6. Hardin-Simmons University
Organized
as Abilene Baptist College in 1891 and renamed Simmons College in 1925. Called
Hardin-Simmons in 1934. Location: 2200 Hickory, Abilene. Marker set in 1967.
7. Site of Western Cattle Trail.
1876-1887, main route for longhorns driven north. Location: South 1st and Leggett Drive,
T&P right of way, Abilene. Marker set in 1968.
8. Coronado's Camp.
Spanish explorer Coronado is thought to have passed this way as he crossed the vast West
Texas plains in search of the Seven Cities of Gold. Location: Intersection of FM 89 and US
Highway 277. Marker set in 1968.
9. The Texas and Pacific Railway.
This marker denotes the opening of the station in Abilene on February 28,1881, and gives
the history of the founding of the T&P and its movement westward. Location: Everman
Park. North 1st and Pine, Abilene. Marker set in 1968.
10. Indian Battle.
Army infantry fought off Comanche raiders here. Location: At site, on CR 350, that braches
south off FM 126; site is 12 miles south of Merkel; stage station was 200 yards west.
Marker set in 1968.
* From juncture of US 277 and FM 89, turn NW on FM 89, 4.7 miles, turn north on CR 351,
2.7 miles.
** From I-20 overpass at Merkel, south on FM 126 14.4 miles to CR 350; 2.4 miles to CR
351; 0.9 miles to marker. (Site 200 yards west).
11. Valley Creek Station.
Stage stop for the Butterfield Overland mail, 1858-1861. Location: 1.4 miles north of
Shep, turn west 1.9 miles on CR 209. Marker set in 1968. Missing.
12. Jim Ned Creek.
Probably named for the Indian Scout Jim Ned. Location: US Highway 84, 1/2 mile north of
Lawn. Marker set in 1968. Missing.
*near a bridge.
13. Indian Fight.
Near site of fight between Indians who had stolen horses in Mason County and soldiers on
patrol. Location: Old Settlers Reunion grounds, Buffalo Gap. Marker set in 1968.
14. Buffalo Gap College.
Founded in 1885 by the Presbyterian Church. At one time the institution enjoyed enrollment
of over 300 students. Location: Old Settlers Reunion grounds, Buffalo Gap. Marker set in
1968.
15. Town of Buffalo Gap.
Probably named for the pass in Callahan Divide crossed by thousands of buffalo that once
inhabited the area. Location: Old Settlers Reunion grounds, Buffalo Gap. Marker set in
1968.
16. Jim Ned Creek.
Probably named for Indian Scout Jim Ned. Note: This is the second of two identical markers
for "Jim Ned Creek" in Taylor County. Location: On Highway 83 at south city
limits of Tuscola near a bridge. Marker set in 1968.
17. Buffalo Gap Cemetery.
Oldest
public cemetery in Taylor County. The earliest headstones date to about 1877, but the
cemetery is known to have been used in earlier times. Location: FM 89, one mile west of
Buffalo Gap. Marker set in 1968.
18. Site of Headquarters of Hashknife
Ranch.
Place where representatives of the Texas and Pacific Railroad met local men in 1880 to
decide on a site for a cattle shipping center. "Abilene" was the choice for a
name of the new town, after Abilene, Kansas. Location: Will Hair Park, Abilene. Marker set
in 1968.
19. Mountain Pass Station.
Site of a stage stop on the Butterfield Stage route and later a stop on another mail line.
Location: At site, CR 350 12 miles west of Abilene, and 7 miles south of Merkel. (Site
located 200 yards east). Marker set in 1968.
* From juncture of US 277 and FM 89, turn NW on FM 89, 4.7 miles, turn north on CR 351,
2.7 miles.
** From I-20 overpass at Merkel, south on FM 126 14.4 miles to CR 350; 2.4 miles to CR
351; .9 miles to marker. (Site 200 yards west).
20. Company 1 - 7th Infantry.
Mustered into service during World War 1, July 1917. Company has 129 enlisted men from the
area. It became part of the HQ Co,. 142nd Infantry, 36th Division. Location: Oscar Rose
Park, 2600 block South Seventh Street, Abilene. Marker set in 1968.
21. Indian Fight.
This marker tells of a skirmish with Indians in 1871. Location: In vicinity of fight;
marker 5 miles south of Merkel, on a county road. Marker set in 1968.
* Moved to 7 miles south of Merkel on FM 1235.
22. Castle Peak.
A well known landmark in western Taylor County. This site was named by a passenger on the
Butterfield Overland Mail route. Location: FM 1235, 7 miles south of Merkel. Marker set in
1968.
23. Camp Barkeley.
This marker is located at the main
entrance of the World War II facility which opened in 1941. Location: Just over 1.6 miles
west of Caps on US Highway 277. Marker set in 1969.
24. Butterfield Mail and Stage Line.
Organized by an act of Congress, 1857, the
Butterfield Mail and Stage Line contracted for semi-weekly service overland to San
Francisco. Stage stations were located about every 20 miles. Location: 1/2 mile west of
Tye off Interstate 20. Marker set in 1969.
25. Rosetyme/McGee.
One of the earliest fine houses in Abilene. Built in 1903, this Colonial Revival Style
home was built by Dr. Jefferson Davis McGee. Location: 1910 North 3rd, Abilene. Marker set
in 1971.
26. Fletcher Ranch.
This ranch is recognized as the oldest property in Taylor County occupied by the original
family. The Fletcher family came to this area in 1878. Location: CR 120, 14 miles SE of
Abilene via FM 1750. Marker set in 1979.
27. The Old Weather Bureau.
This
building was completed for the Abilene office of the United States Weather Bureau in 1909.
Location: 1482 North 1st Street.
28. Lytle Gap-Potosi Methodist Church.
Organized about 1879 as Lytle Gap Methodist Episcopal Church South. This sanctuary, the
second for the church, was constructed in 1906. Location: CR 107, 14 miles SE of Abilene
via FM 1750. Marker set in 1980.
29. Abilene Reporter News.
Oldest
existing business institution in Abilene. The first newspaper was printed on June 17,1881.
Location: Outside the present Reporter-News building at North 1st and Cypress, Abilene.
Marker set in 1981.
30. Abilene Christian University.
First
called Childers Classical Institute, this school was founded in 1906 to provide a
Christian education for all grade levels. In 1920 it became Abilene Christian College with
the present name adopted in 1976. Location: 1600 Campus Court, Abilene. Marker set in
1981.
31. Abilene State School.
The Texas Legislature provided for the establishment of this institution in 1899 as a
center for the treatment of epilepsy. Abilene State School has developed a leading program
of quality care for the mentally disabled based on innovative ideas and widespread
community support. Location: On Maple Street between SH 36 and Industrial Boulevard.
Marker set in 1981.
32. Laughter Undertaking Co.
Founded in 1905 by Dan Laughter and C.M. Tandy. Location 242 Orange, Abilene. Marker set
in 1986.
33. Site of Abilene's First School.
Constructed in 1881. The schoolhouse also served as a Community Center and was used for
church worship services. Location: 302 Cedar, Abilene, attached to brick building. Marker
set in 1986.
34. Lindbergh in West Texas (September 26,
1927).
Four months after his record setting trans-Atlantic solo flight, Lindbergh landed in
Abilene for one hour and thirty-six minutes at the present site of the Abilene Zoological
Gardens. Lindbergh paraded through Abilene and delivered a speech praising the ideal
terrain and weather in Texas for developing civil and military aviation. Location: Lower
level, Abilene Municipal Airport, Highway 36, Abilene. Marker set in 1986.
35. Historical Grave Marker: James Winford
Hunt (July 9, 1875 - March 12, 1934).
Hunt pastored an Abilene Methodist Church in the early 1900s. He was a founder and served
as the first president of McMurry College. Location: Cedar Hill Cemetery, N 10th and
Cottonwood, Abilene. Marker set in 1986.
36. McMurry College.
McMurry College was one of nearly 80
colleges founded by the Methodist Church between 1840 and 1921. The school officially
opened in 1923. Location: South 14th and Sayles Boulevard, Abilene. Marker set in 1986.
37. Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
This church began as a mission in the 1880s to serve Catholics in the Abilene area.
Priests came by train from Weatherford to conduct services. Sacred Heart was designated a
Parish in 1891. The building, completed in April 1931, is Spanish Colonial Revival style
with Moorish style elements. Location: 1633 South 8th, Abilene. Marker set in 1990.
38. 12th Armored Division at Camp
Barkeley.
The 12th Armored Division, activated at Camp Campbell, Kentucky, in September 1942, was
assigned to Camp Barkeley in November, 1943. The 12th Armored shipped out to Europe in
September, 1944, from Barkeley. The Division nicknamed the Hellcats, served with
distinction. Location: South 7th and Hartford, Abilene. Marker set in 1992.
39. Mount Zion Baptist Church.
The Reverend James Curry, a missionary from Sherman, Texas, organized this congregation in
1885. It is the oldest African-American church in the city. Location: 520 Stafford,
Abilene. Marker set in 1995.
40. Site of Thorton's Store.
Known throughout West Texas as "A city within itself", Thornton's store was one
of Abilene's leading businesses for nearly seven decades. Location: South 4th and Oak
Street, Abilene. Marker set in 1996.
41. Abilene Negro High School.
The first public school for Negro students in Abilene was established in 1890. The first
Negro high school was built in 1936 at the marker site, part of a 10 room structure. The
high school later became Carter G. Woodson School. Location: 520 North 9th Street,
Abilene. Marker set in 1996.
42. Hattie and Henry Sayles, Sr. House
Home of prominent Abilene Attorney and one of the first homes on Sayles Boulevard.
Location: 642 Sayles, Abilene
Marker set in 1997.
43. Mulberry Canyon
Site of early military road and the Butterfield Trail; home to settlers beginning in
the 1870's.
Location: FM 126 and 1085 (6.2 Miles SW of Merkel). Marker set 1998.
44. James Harrison Parramore
Home of nationally prominent cattleman, Abilene civic leader and philanthropist.
Location: 704 Beech Street, Abilene. Marker set in 1998.
45. Parramore Post #57, American Legion
One of the first 100 American Legion posts founded in America.
Location: 302 ES 11th Street, Abilene. Maker set in 1999.
46. 45th Infantry Division at Camp
Barkeley
First divisional unit to occupy Camp Barkeley near Abilene in World War II. Among the most
heroic Army divisions in WW II.
Location: 301 Oak Street, Abilene. Marker set in 1999.
47. Site of the Guitar Mansion
Site of one of Abilene's most elegant mansions.
Location: North 1st and Beech Streets, Abilene.
Marker set in 1999.
48. City Cemetery
Abilene's first cemeteries and burial grounds of many prominent citizens.
Location: North 10th and Cottonwood Streets, Abilene. Marker set in 1999.
49. Historical Grave Marker, Clabe
Merchant
Site of home of earlyday ranching family and founders of Abilene.
Location: North 10th and Cottonwood Streets, Abilene.
Marker set in 1999.
50. Historical Grave Marker, Morgan Jones
Legendary pioneer builder of American railroads.
Location: North 10th and Cottonwood Streets, Abilene.
Marker set in 1999.
51. Macedonia Baptist Church
Site of Black church and school, dating to 1885
Location: 608 North 7th Street, Abilene. Marker set in 1999.
52. Mexican-American / Americanization
School
Memorializing first schools in the city for Hispanic students.
Location: 317 North 6th Street, Abilene. Marker set in 2000.
53. Cornelia Clark Fort
First woman military pilot killed on active duty in World War II.
Location: FM 126, 6.2 miles SW of Merkel. Marker set in 2000.
54. Texas Rangers Grave Marker
Location - Masonic section, City Cemetery, off Cottonwood.
Marker set in 2001
55. Civilian Conservation Corps
Abilene State Park built by CCC in 1933
Location - Abilene State Park, 150 Park Road, Tuscola
Marker set in 2001.
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