Uvalde County
Historical Markers |
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Numbers 2-6
Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section).
Uncommemorated and Unmapped Sites.
Marker Title: General John R. Baylor
Address: US 55
City: Montell
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Location: US 55 just inside Montell limits (past churches),
Montell.
Marker Text: Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas Republic 1839. Colorful
Indian fighter. In war against Cherokees 1840. Member Texas Legislature
1853. Comanche agent 1855-57. Delegate from Weatherford, Secession
Convention. Commanding detachment of Second Regiment Texas Mounted
Rifles occupied, took over supplies, Ft. Bliss. June 1861-- during
campaign to extend Confederacy westward to the Pacific. Repulsed Federals,
Mesilla, N. Mex., July 25. With 200 men took 700 Federals, their transports,
arms, ammunition, 200 horses, 270 beeves, four cannon at San Augustin
Springs, July 27. With Capitol at Mesilla, organized government, proclaimed
Confederate control of Arizona, Aug. 1. Baylor became military, civil
governor. Sent C.S.A. Treasury $9,500 captured at Ft. Fillmore. Supervised
gold, silver mining for C.S.A. Order to kill instead of capture troublesome
Apaches incensed authorities against him, had Baylor recalled to Texas,
stripped of rank. As private "served guns in hottest of the fight"
to recapture Galveston, Jan. 1, 1863. Salvaged U.S. warship parts
to make cannon light enough to go into battle on back of mule. 1863-63
in Confederate Congress. Given new command. Made Brigadier-General
1865. Raised, led troops in frontier defense. Fear of his moves pinned
down thousands of Federals in California, Arizona. Climaxed war service
on Northwest Texas border. Post-war lived in San Antonio. Farmed,
ranched Uvalde County. Buried in Montell. Erected by the state of
Texas 1963
Marker Title: Site of the Mission Nuestra Senora de
la Candelaria (2nd Marker)
Address: US 55
City: Montell
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: On US 55 just inside Montell limits (past churches),
Montell.
Marker Text: First established by Franciscan missionaries in 1749
on the San Gabriel River with the hope of civilizing and Christianizing
the Coco, Mayene, Karankawa, Orcoquiza and other Indian tribes. Restablished
under the same name on the San Marcos River in 1755. Removed to this
site on the Nueces River for the conversion of the Lipan Apaches in
1762. Abandoned in 1769.
Marker Title: Near Site of Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria
Mission
Address: US 55
City: Montell
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1968
Marker Location: On US 55 just inside Montell City limits (past churches),
Montell
Marker Text: Third mission under this name founded in Texas.
Established near here on the Nueces River in 1762 by Franciscan missionaries
for the conversion of the Indians and protection of Spanish lands.
Typical of many Spanish missions in Texas, Candelaria had twice moved
closer to centers of civilization since its first founding in 1749
on the San Gabriel River. Beset with friction between friars and soldiers,
the first Candelaria was abandoned in 1755 and then moved to the San
Marcos River. Soon, however, the friars found that the Indians were
more concerned with protection than with Christianity. In 1757 the
mission was again discontinued. In 1762 Candelaria was re-established
here, and about 100 Lipan-Apaches quickly volunteered to live within
its walls. A chapel, large thatched building, a house, and possibly
other structures were erected. But once more, difficulties arose--
scarcity of meat, unrest and insincerity among the mission Indians,
inadequate defense, devastating raids by Comanches and Apaches. About
1767 the mission was abandoned for the last time. Little remains of
it today, for the smooth building stones were taken by Anglo settlers
in the 1800s to build their houses.
Marker Title: Silver Mine Pass
Address: FM 83 and 127
City: Concan
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1968
Marker Location: (On Highway 83 at intersection with Highway 127 South);
from Uvalde, take Highway 83 North about 20 miles to intersection
with 127 East - marker fronts Highway 83 at intersection.
Marker Text: Named for silver mine opened near pass by Spaniards in
1700s or earlier. Ore was inferior, and mine was abandoned; but 14
shafts (some interconnecting) remain. Near the mine are remnants of
a fortification made by 30 men under the leadership of James Bowie,
later (1836) a hero of the siege to the Alamo. In 1831, while at work
at this mine, Bowie's men repulsed a Comanche attack in a fierce,
all-day battle. Hero of the fight was Bowie's slave, "Black Jim
Bowie," who risked his life by leaving the fortification to bring
water to the besieged. 1968
Benjamin Franklin Highsmith
Photo from Sowell's Early Settlers and Indian Fighters
Marker Title: Benjamin F. Highsmith
Address: SH 187, Jones Cemetery
City: Utopia
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: Jones Cemetery, Highway 187, Utopia
Marker Text: Served in the Army of Texas, 1835-36 a Ranger under Capt.
John C. Hays, a member of the Somervell Expedition, 1842 born in Missouri
Sept. 11, 1817. Died Nov. 20, 1905. His wife, Elizabeth Turner Highsmith,
born in Missouri March 22, 1836, died Oct. 7, 1900.
Museum Name: Sabinal Canyon Museum
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 13
Street Address: Main Street
City: Utopia
Zip Code: 78884
Area Code: 830
Phone: 966-2100
County: Uvalde
Marker Title: Utopia
Address: FM 187
City: Utopia
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1973
Marker Location: In Utopia: On East Main Street (Highway 187) across
from general store.
Marker Text: After an 1886 Indian raid on their nearby Little Creek
home, R. H. Kincheloe and family moved here, built a home and in 1873
a 2-story rock store. They platted town as "Montana", giving
land for churches, school, and community square. Post office moved
from Waresville in 1883. Methodists had church here before town was
founded. Baptists organized their church in 1888. Church of Christ
congregation relocated here, 1902. New name praising climate was chosen
by Postmaster George Barker. Stores and shops were built. Town is
now a center for ranching, retirement, vacationing. Marker sponsored
by citizens of Utopia - 1973
Marker Title: Chalk Bluff Indian Massacre
Address: US 55 and Chalk Bluff Road
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: From Uvalde, take Highway 55, West about 15 miles
at park, Chalk Bluff Road entrance is at 5 miles south of 334 West.
Marker Text: Here on May 29, 1861, two of southwest Texas' most feared
Indian fighters were ambushed by a band of 20 hostile Indians. Henry
Robinson-- tall and red-bearded-- was so well known to the tribes
that they had painted his picture on a rock near the Llano River.
He and his companion Henry Adams (also his daughter's fiancee) were
in route to Camp Wood when the attack came. The Indians, after they
had killed the two men, took both their scalps and Robinson's beard,
too; they then attacked Robinson's home, but his family fought them
off successfully. 1970
Marker Title: Old Davenport Home
Address: FM 1051 NW of Uvalde
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1961
Marker Location: From Uvalde, take Hwy. 83 North about 19.5 miles
then go NW on FM 1051 about 8 mile to Box 103 (west side of road).
Marker Text: Originally an early settler's 1-room log house on the
dry Frio (1 mi. N), built in era of Lipan-Apache raids and infestation
of this frontier by outlaws. Enlarged for his family of 12 by L. C.
("Clabe") Davenort, who moved here about 1884. Added were
a second log room, a hall, stone rooms on rear. After cattleman Davenport
prospered and built a frame home, the old cabin still was used as
kitchen, dining room and guest rooms. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
- 1967.
Marker Title: Early Texas Wagon Yards
Address: Main and Getty
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Location: Faces intersection of Main (90) and Getty, Uvalde.
Marker Text: Places of shelter for drivers, teams and wagons. Here
travelers could cook bacon, eggs, beans, coffee; talk with friends
and strangers. For people from the country, a wagon yard was both
a hotel and a social center. Unusually it was an open area flanked
by a shed, stalls and feed rooms. It might cover a city block, and
charges were 25 (cents) to $1.00 a day. Drivers pulled into yards,
cared for teams, found cooking and sleeping space. Men or families
might stay for weeks, await kin or goods coming by train or stage.
Amusements were practical jokes, gossip, games, music by fiddle, guitar,
harmonica. Young boys overcame bashfulness, learned to dance, roller
skate, whip bullies. The yard was center for trading goods and horses;
obtaining advice on travel, work, weather. Some yards were stops for
stages and freighters. A block west of this site was wagon yard of
F. A. Piper Company (predecessor of Horner's Store). Like many Texas
merchants, Piper built and ran the wagon yard to aid customers, who
used it free of charge. Modern transportation has made the wagon yard
a relic of the past, but it has a secure place in the history of pioneer
days in Texas.
Marker Title: King Fisher
Address: 400 block of N. Park Street
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1973
Marker Location: Pioneer Cemetery, 400 block of North Park Street
in Uvalde
Marker Text: Celebrated outlaw who became a peace officer. Once undisputed
ruler of a 5,000-square-mile area of Southwest Texas, centered in
Eagle Pass and known as King Fisher's Territory. Son of Jobe and Lucinda
Fisher, at age 17 Fisher settled on Pendencia Creek in Dimmit County,
hired by ranchmen to guard their herds from bandits who frequently
raided from Mexico, across Rio Grande. A complex and forceful individual,
he imposed order in lawless border area. His henchmen rustled cattle
and terrorized resisting settlers but also protected them from outside
intruders. Near his ranch was sign reading: "This is King Fisher's
Road. Take the other". Many prominent men, including Porfirio
Diaz, President of Mexico, counted him a friend. Tall, charming, and
quite handsome, Fisher wore fine clothes and tiger skin chaps. An
expert shot-- with either hand-- he was indicted on six murder charges
and 15 lesser counts but was never convicted. Devoted to wife and
daughters, he reformed after being arrested in 1876 by Ranger Capt.
L. H. McNelly. He was acting Uvalde County sheriff, when, on March
11, 1884, he and the notorious Ben Thompson were killed from ambush
at a vaudeville theater in San Antonio. 1973
Marker Title: Site of Fort Inge
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1966
Marker Location: take FM 140 SE about 1.25 mi. to Fort Inge Historical
Park entrance, then follow drive .2 mi.
Marker Text: Established by Captain Sidney Burbank, First U. S. Infantry,
March 13, 1849, on east bank of Leona River in Uvalde County. Named
for Lieutenant Zebulon M. P. Inge, killed in Battle of Resaca de La
Palma, May 9, 1846, in the Mexican War. Protected the southern Overland
Mail route from Indian raids. Visited by Robert E. Lee, 1856. At that
time fort consisted of a dozen primitive but neatly kept buildings.
Occupied by Confederate soldiers in Civil War. Reoccupied 1866 by
Federal troops until abandoned March 28, 1869.
Marker Title: Site of Fort Inge
Address: FM 140, just East of Uvalde in Fort Inge Park
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: From Uvalde, take Hwy. 140 SE 1.25 mile to Fort Inge
Historical Park entrance, then follow drive in about .2 mile.
Marker Text: Established by Captain Sidney Burbank, first U. S. Infantry,
on March 13, 1849. Named in honor of Lieutenant Zebulon M. P. Inge,
who fell at Resaca de la Palma May 9, 1846. Protected the southern
Overland Mail route from Indians raids. Federal troops, withdrawn
in 1961, reoccupied the post from 1866 to February 28, 1869. Later
a Texas Ranger camp.
Marker Title: Fort Inge, Camp Dix, C.S.A.
Address: Main and Getty Streets
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Location: Corner of Main Street (US 90) and Getty, town plaza,
Uvalde.
Marker Text: A major road west from San Antonio forked in the area
of these forts. One road went toward El Paso, the other to the Rio
Grande at Eagle Pass. Travelers heading west "put on their guns"
in this region, the start of hostile Indian country, troops from these
posts guarded against Indian raids, bandits from Mexico, and marauder.
Fort Inge, 4.5 mi. southeast, was on Cotton Road to Eagle Pass over
which hundreds of wagons, oxcarts took cotton to Mexico in exchange
for vital goods. Part defense line from Brownsville to El Paso. Occupied
by volunteer cavalry. (Back of Fort Inge, Camp Dix) Camp Dix, located
7 mi. East. Established in 1862. Part of state frontier defense line
a day's horseback ride apart from the Red River to the Rio Grande
to protect frontier settlements. Occupied by Texas Frontier Regiment.
Although Uvalde County voted 76 to 16 against secession, a number
of men joined the Confederate Army. Some, being Unionists, moved to
Mexico. The war brought hard times and a rash of Indian attacks. In
1863-64 when Federals held the lower Rio Grande, Eagle Pass became
the chief export city for the Confederacy and wagon trains increased
along the road. Often without food, clothing, horses, ammunition,
the Confederate and State troops, backed by citizens' posses brought
a measure of protection to this frontier region. A memorial to Texans
who served the Confederacy. Erected by the state of Texas 1963.
Marker Title: Pat Garrett
Address: US 90
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: In front of Highway Department (not TX DOT), Highway
90 West, Uvalde.
Marker Text: Pioneer law officer Patrick F. Garrett, renowned for
killing outlaw Billy the Kid in 1881, lived in a house at this site
during his residence in Uvalde. He had come from Alabama to Texas
in 1869; here he worked as a farmer, cowboy, and buffalo hunter. He
served as sheriff in several cities and also dealt in ranching operations.
He owned property here from 1891 to 1900. In 1908 he was killed in
New Mexico after an argument over land, but many people assumed that
the quarrel was merely a ruse to force Garrett to fight or be murdered
from ambush. 1970
Marker Title: Captain John Coffee Hays
Address: SH 187, South of Uvalde
City: Uvalde
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: From Utopia, take Highway 187 South about 9 miles
to roadside marker.
Marker Text: In this vicinity - June 24, 1841, Captain John Coffee
Hays and his Company of 12 Rangers assisted by thirty Mexicans under
Captain Flores encountered ten Comanche Indians and killed eight and
captured the other two and none of the Rangers were killed and but
one wounded. Erected by the State of Texas 1936.
Museum Name: John Nance Garner Museum
Street Address: 333 N Park
City: Uvalde
Zip Code: 78801
Area Code: 210
Phone: 278-5018
County: Uvalde
Marker Title: Site of Camp Sabinal
Address: US 90 on West side of Sabinal River
City: Sabinal
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: From Sabinal, take Highway 90 West about one mile
to west side of Sabinal River. Marker is on south side of road.
Marker Text: Established July 12, 1856 by Capt. Albert G. Brackett,
Second U. S. Cavalry as a protection to the San Antonio - El Paso
Road and frontier settlers. Occupied by Federal troops until November
1856, later served as a Ranger camp.
Marker Title: Sabinal
Address: US 90 and FM 187
City: Sabinal
County: Uvalde
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: .4 miles east on US 90 at intersection with FM 187,
Sabinal
Marker Text: Named by Spanish for Rio Sabina and Cypress trees along
river. Town founded in 1854 by Thomas B. Hammer who operated a stage
shop and was first postmaster. Despite Indian depredations, town thrived
as settlers built homes, and a railroad reached here in 1881. In 1906,
town was incorporated. Telephone service started. City water works
and volunteer fire dept. was organized in 1907. Sabinal Christian
College was founded. Closed in 1917. Cotton industry was foremost
in early 1900s. Today, farming and ranching flourishing in community.
1967
The following pages describe several Indian encounters faced by the pioneers of Uvalde County. These stories are from the book, Indian Depredations in Texas by J.W. Wilbarger.
