Historical Marker

Site of Gano Community

Historical marker location:
FM 486 at Williamson CR 441, 6 mi. S. Thorndale, Thorndale, Texas
( FM 486 at Williamson CR 441, 6 mi. S. Thorndale)

Settlement in this area began in the 1870s. The Wilder family operated a cotton gin, grist mill, blacksmith shop and general store. Other pioneer residents included the Allcorn, Watson, Casey, Gambrell, Gregory, and Howe families. By the 1890s the community was named Gano in honor of Confederate general R.M. Gano and included a post office, school and church. The town began to decline after the general store closed. The church building was not rebuilt after a storm, and the school was consolidated with Milam County schools in 1919. Few vestiges of the town remain.