Historical Markers in
Eastland County, Texas

Alameda Cemetery Bankhead Highway through Eastland County Bullock Cemetery Burkett House Camp Salmon, C.S.A. Carbon City Jail Carbon Methodist Church Building Christ Lutheran Cemetery Cisco College Connellee-Majestic Theatre Desdemona Cemetery Desdemona First Baptist Church Dothan Cemetery Early Banking in Eastland Early Settlers of Eastland County Eastland Eastland County Eastland County Courthouse Ellison Family Graveyard Ellison Springs First Baptist Church in Carbon First Baptist Church of Cisco First Christian Church First National Bank First Oil Well Drilled in Eastland County First Presbyterian Church of Cisco First United Methodist Church of Cisco First United Methodist Church of Eastland First United Methodist Church of Rising Star Fort Blair, C.S.A. Hargus Farm Liberty Cemetery Long Branch Baptist Church Mangum Baptist Church Merriman Baptist Church Merriman Cemetery Near Sites of Kokomo School Oakwood Cemetery Old Mobley Hotel Old Shinoak Springs Penn House Pioneer Cemetery Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Prairie Oil and Gas Company Housing Ranger Municipal Airport Ranger Post Office Redeemer Lutheran Cemetery Rising Star Roaring Ranger Romney Lutheran Cemetery Scranton Cemetery Site of Blackwell Hospital Site of J.H. McCleskey No. 1, Discovery Well of the Ranger Oil Boom Site of Scranton Academy Stubblefield Building The Connellee House The Kean Home
The first domed stadium in the world, the Astrodome, was built in Houston in 1965 and hosted numerous sporting events and concerts over the years.
Texas random facts
Eastland County, located in central Texas, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was first inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Comanche and Apache. The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought about changes in the region, with conflicts arising between the Native Americans and European settlers.

The county's official establishment came in 1858, when Texas Legislature recognized it as a separate entity. The county was named after William M. Eastland, who fought in the Texan Revolution and served as a Texas Ranger. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Eastland County experienced significant growth and development thanks to the arrival of railroads, making it a crucial transportation hub for the surrounding regions.

The discovery of oil in the early 20th century also brought prosperity to Eastland County. The oil boom led to a population increase, as well as the growth of industrial and commercial sectors. However, the Great Depression of the 1930s had a devastating impact on the county, leading to a decline in population and economic activity.

In recent decades, Eastland County has worked to revive its economy and preserve its rich heritage. Today, the county is known for its thriving agricultural sector, including cattle farming and crop cultivation. The county also attracts tourists with its natural beauty, offering outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, and camping. Eastland County continues to embrace its history while looking towards a promising future.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Eastland County, Texas.

  • 1850 - Eastland County is established as a county in Texas.
  • 1854 - The town of Palo Pinto is designated as the county seat.
  • 1858 - Palo Pinto is abandoned, and the county seat is moved to Merriman.
  • 1875 - Merriman loses the county seat status to Eastland.
  • 1890 - The Texas Central Railroad arrives in Eastland, fueling growth and economic development.
  • 1907 - The first oil well in Eastland County is drilled, leading to the rise of the oil industry in the area.
  • 1920 - The Eastland City Dam is built, creating Lake Leon and providing a water source for the region.
  • 1930 - The population of Eastland County reaches its peak, with over 30,000 residents.
  • 1938 - Eastland County is severely affected by the devastating tornado outbreak known as the "Wichita Falls–East Texas Tornado Outbreak."
  • 1950s - The decline of the oil industry and changes in agriculture lead to a population decrease in Eastland County.
  • Today, Eastland County is a rural area with a diverse economy, including agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism.