Historical Markers in
Cherokee County, Texas

A. Frank Smith United Methodist Church Angelina River Annie Ella (McCallum) Ault Bachelor Girl's Library Club Ben Cannon Ferry Benge Cemetery Berryman Cemetery Birthplace of Thomas Mitchell Campbell Box's Fort Brown, W. A., Home Burning Bush Colony, The C. R. and Jennie Kelley House C.S.A. Prisoner of War Compound Camp Alto, World War II Prisoner of War Camp Candace Midkiff Bean Carey Lake-Boggy Creek Oil Field Cedar Hill Cemetery Central Baptist Church of Jacksonville Cherokee Cherokee County Cherokee County C.S.A. Cherokee County Courthouse Cherokee Furnace Co., C.S.A. Cherokee, Home of Grand Xinesi Chief Bowles' Last Homesite Chief Samuel Benge Church Founded by Chaplain Nicholas A. Davis, C.S.A. Cold Springs School and Methodist Church Concord Cemetery Confederate Gun Factory Confederate Training Camp Cook Cemetery Cook's Fort Corinth Baptist Church Cove Springs United Methodist Church Craft Baptist Church Cuney David Greene Templeton Dialville Dr. I. K. Frazier Home Dr. William Reuben Tennison Earle's Chapel Cemetery Earle's Chapel Methodist Church Ellis P. Bean Elm Grove Common School Emmaus Falvey Memorial United Methodist Church First Baptist Church of Jacksonville First Baptist Church of Mixon First Baptist Church of Rusk First Baptist Church of Rusk First Presbyterian Church of Rusk First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville First United Methodist Church of Rusk Forest Hill Plantation House Fred Douglass School Friendship Baptist Church and Corine Cemetery Fry's Gap Gallatin School Gent Village George Wahington Slover Gregg Family Home Grimes Cemetery Hatchett's Ferry Inn Helena Dill Berryman Helena Kimble Dill Nelson Hendrick Cemetery Henry Cemetery Henry's Chapel Community Henry's Chapel United Methodist Church Hogg, Gov. J. S., Birthplace of Holcomb Family Reunion Homer-Alto Road Isaac Lee Jackson Smith Jacksonville College Jacksonville Independent School District James H. Bowman James Stephen Hogg and Cherokee County Jarratt Cemetery John Joseph Bowman John Wesley Love Home Jones Cemetery Judge H.T. Brown Killough Massacre Knoxville Little Bean's Cherokee Village Lon Morris College Lone Star Love's Lookout Lowe's Chapel Cemetery Lynches Chapel United Methodist Church and Cemetery Maydelle McDonald Cemetery Mewshaw State Sawmill and Maydell CCC Camp Mixon Cemetery Morrill Orchard Company Mound Prairie Mount Zion United Methodist Church and Cemetery Mountain Home Mt. Hope Cemetery Mt. Hope Cemetery Murphy Home Myrtle Springs Cemetery Nan Travis Memorial Hospital Neches Indian Village New Birmingham New Summerfield Methodist Church New Summerfield Public School Newburn-Rawlinson House Norman Law Firm Odom-Crawford House Old Bonner Bank Building Old Neches Saline Road Old Palestine Baptist Church Old Palestine Cemetery Old Rusk Tramway Oldest Home in Jacksonville Pine Grove School Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Ponta Primitive Baptist Church of Wells Roark, William, Home Robert F. Mitchell Robert Graves Stadler Rocky Springs Missionary Baptist Church Rusk Rusk Footbridge Rusk Penitentiary Building Samuel Smith Homesite Sardis Baptist Church Sardis-Edgefield Cemetery Sea Scouts Ship 400 Selman-Roark Cemetery Sheriff Bill Brunt Murder Site Shiloh Methodist Church and Cemetery Site of Fastrill Site of Ferguson-Ford Mill Site of First Free Public School Site of Griffin Site of Kilraven Site of Lacy's Fort Site of Linwood Site of Old Jacksonville Site of Old Larissa College Site of Rusk College Site of Rusk Public School No. 2 for African Americans Site of Sam Houston Speeches Site of Tassie Belle and Star and Cresent Iron Ore Furnaces Site of the Delaware Indian Village Site of the Last Home of Bowles Site of the Mission San Francisco De Los Tejas Site of the Union Hotel/Bracken House/Acme Hotel Site of Wildhurst Stella Salmon Hill Sweet Union Baptist Church Tecula Cemetery Terrell Lodge No. 83 Texas Civil War Iron Works Texas State Railroad The James I. Perkins Family Home The Rusk Cherokeean Thomas Jefferson Dean Thompson Cemetery Town of Craft Turney Union Grove Cemetery W. W. Durham Home Walker's Chapel Cemetery Weeping Mary Community Zebulon Pike Campsite
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.
Texas random facts
Cherokee County, located in eastern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Kickapoo, and Cherokee. In the early 19th century, settlers from the United States began to arrive in the region, resulting in conflicts with the indigenous populations.

In 1837, the Texas Congress established Cherokee County, named after the Cherokee people, who had settled in the area. The county seat was initially located in the town of Rusk, which had grown as a result of the influx of settlers. Over the years, the county went through various changes, with the establishment of new towns and the growth of the local economy. Agriculture, particularly cotton and livestock farming, became the backbone of the county's economy.

During the Civil War, the county faced significant hardships as many men from Cherokee County enlisted in the Confederate Army. The economy suffered, and the county experienced both political and social unrest. However, following the war, the region gradually recovered, and new industries such as lumbering and oil exploration emerged.

In the 20th century, Cherokee County witnessed significant changes in its economy and demographics. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought an economic boom to the area, attracting new businesses and residents. Today, the county continues to thrive, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The county also pays tribute to its Native American heritage through various cultural and historical organizations.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cherokee County, Texas.

  • 1846: Cherokee County is created and organized.
  • 1847: The town of Rusk is designated as the county seat.
  • 1850s: The area sees conflicts between the Cherokee and local settlers.
  • 1861-1865: Cherokee County residents serve in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
  • 1872: The International-Great Northern Railroad is built through Rusk, boosting the local economy.
  • 1900: The discovery of the large Berry gypsum deposit leads to the establishment of the Frankston Gypsum Company.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression causes significant economic challenges for Cherokee County.
  • 1942: Camp Fannin, a World War II army training camp, is established in Cherokee County.
  • 1982: Lake Palestine is completed, providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
  • Present: Cherokee County continues to be a vibrant community with a mix of agricultural, industrial, and recreational activities.