Historical Marker

Lackawanna Ranch

Historical marker location:
Hillsboro, Texas
( from Hillsboro take SH 171 north about 6 miles on east side of highway. Marker reported in temporary storage Jul. 2016.)
Marker installed: 1975

Dr. John S. Scofield (1826-1901) chose the Indian name "Lackawanna" for the 2500 acre tract of land he bought here in 1858. After moving with his family from Kentucky, he served Hill County as a doctor and county judge. Later he was a director and vice-president of Sturgis National Bank. Dr. Scofield introduced shorthorn cattle to this area. His son, Frank (1887-1974), who inherited this part of the ranch in 1901, raised prize-winning shorthorns. After the first house on this site burned, the present structure was built in 1917. The Lackawanna Ranch was purchased in 1945 by E. G. Murphree.