Historical Marker

James Bayliss Buck Farmstead

Historical marker location:
1641 Hwy 77, Rosebud, Texas
( Highway 77, 0.25 miles south of Travis, Falls County, Texas)
Marker installed: 2015
Marker size: 27" x 42" with post and RTHL Medallion and Plaque with post

James Bayliss Buck (1875-1959), the fourth of seven children to Catherine Patience Bayliss and James Mason Buck, was born on the family tobacco farm near Clarksville, Tennessee. The Buck family moved to Upshur County, Texas, in 1879 and in 1885, James Mason Buck purchased a farm near Fate, Rockwall County, Texas. In 1901, Rev. John W. Bergin, later Southwestern University President, performed the first wedding in the new Travis Methodist Church uniting James Bayliss Buck and Lurah Dorinda Whiteside (1878-1959). Their daughters Reba Cleo and Vita Lona were born in Fate.

Economical land prices in Falls County prompted James Bayliss Buck to purchase acreage near Travis, Texas, in 1904 and move his family to Travis in 1908. James Bayliss Buck and John Franklin Cooley, Lurah’s brother-in-law, completed the farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, outhouse, field dwelling and two water wells in 1909.

Buck followed the vernacular architectural tradition and designed his Travis farm residence after his father’s home in Fate. Described as the gable front and wing configuration of the folk Victorian style, the Buck Farmhouse is balloon framed and exhibits a mix of Queen Anne and Greek Revival influences.

In 1920, Reba Cleo Buck (1902-1993) married immediate neighbor Hubert Thedford Johnson (1902-1988). In 1933, Hubert Johnson became administrator of the Waco Methodist Orphanage where he and Reba developed a nationally-recognized child care institution. Johnson purchased the Buck Farm in 1948. The James Bayliss Buck Farmstead is the best preserved example of the initial farming settlement that once supported the Travis community.

RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARK – 2015

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

Texas was once a part of Mexico but gained independence in 1836 after a famous battle at the Alamo.
Texas random facts
Falls County is located in the central part of Texas, named after the beautiful 17-foot-high waterfalls that span the Brazos River. The area was originally home to several Native American tribes, including Appaches and Caddo Indians, who lived off hunting and gathering. The Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, claiming the land for Spain and establishing missions in the region. However, the native tribes fiercely resisted colonization efforts, resulting in tensions and conflicts.

In the early 19th century, European settlers began to arrive in Falls County, drawn by the fertile soil and abundant natural resources. The county was officially established in 1850, and the town of Marlin was designated as the county seat. The development of railroads during this period further spurred the growth of the region, allowing for easier transportation of goods and people.

During the Civil War, Falls County, like many other parts of Texas, heavily supported the Confederacy. The economy revolved around agriculture, especially cotton plantations, which relied on enslaved labor. However, the war brought multiple challenges to the county, including shortages of supplies and soldiers, as well as occasional conflicts with Union forces.

In the post-war era, Falls County faced a period of rebuilding and diversification. The reliance on cotton continued, but other industries such as livestock ranching and oil extraction began to play a significant role in the county's economy. Over the years, Falls County has gone through various changes and challenges, but it remains a vibrant community with a rich history tied to the land and its people.

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

  • 1837 - Falls County is established by the Republic of Texas
  • 1838 - The county seat is established in Perryville
  • 1850 - Marlin becomes the new county seat
  • 1861-1865 - Falls County residents serve in the Civil War
  • 1873 - The Houston and Texas Central Railway reaches Marlin
  • 1886 - The town of Lott is incorporated
  • 1896 - The Marlin Female Institute is established
  • 1910 - A serious cotton boll weevil infestation hits the county
  • 1921 - The infamous Klan trials take place in Marlin
  • 1953 - Falls County dedicates a new courthouse
  • 1975 - Marlin State Hospital is designated a National Historic Landmark
  • 1996 - The Marlin Democrat newspaper celebrates its 125th anniversary
  • 2018 - Falls County celebrates its 180th anniversary