Wise County, Texas
Bridgeport is home to 13 official Texas Historical Commission markers — each one telling a piece of the city’s story. Browse the markers below, then find them on the map and discover more nearby with RoadHistorical.
Once a staple of Bridgeport's economy, coal was discovered here in later part of 19th century. Diggers hit vein 60 feet deep while seeking water. Mine No. 1 lies under northeast Bridgeport, and entire area is…
View on map ↗When Butterfield Overland Mail traversed this area (1858-61) on St. Louis to San Francisco route, a crossing over West Fork of the Trinity was a necessity. Colonel W. H. Hunt on February 11, 1860, obtained a charter and…
View on map ↗This community was named for the lookout point used by Indians and settlers in the 19th century. From his land near the landmark mound, W. C. Ellis designated (1876) acreage for public use, and the cemetery had been…
View on map ↗J. E. Barnes purchased this site in 1885 from P. J. Hyde and his wife Mary E. Hyde. The earliest marked graves are those of Barnes' wife Dizania (b. 1861) and son Felix, both of whom died on December 4, 1879. Many early…
View on map ↗On December 12, 1884, the Bridgeport Masonic Lodge was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge of Texas. The twenty-seven charter members consisted primarily of local coal miners, ranchers, and businessmen. The group met…
View on map ↗Robert A. and Molly Paschall settled in this area in 1876 and purchased 160 acres of land near Salt Creek in 1890. In 1902 the Paschall, Texas post office was established in their home which also housed the…
View on map ↗Organized in 1893, the same year the Rock Island rail line reached the Bridgeport area, this congregation first held its worship services under brush arbors and in the Masonic Lodge building. Methodist circuit rider Ben…
View on map ↗(1815-1864) Born in Ithaca, New York, William Hudson Hunt became a principal figure in the development of Wise County. He came to Texas in 1836, joining the War for Independence. He then served in the Army of the Texas…
View on map ↗FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BRIDGEPORT IN 1882, REV. ALPHUS HAWKINS, W. W. CANNON AND 23 CHARTER MEMBERS STARTED THIS CHURCH IN OLD TOWN BRIDGEPORT. AFTER MEETING IN THE SCHOOLHOUSE AND TWO OTHER SITES, THE CHURCH MOVED TO…
View on map ↗In 1893, the Rock Island Railroad established a line close to Bridgeport on the banks of the West Fork of the Trinity River, and soon the town began to grow. In 1895, the family of J.A. Weakley moved from Decatur to…
View on map ↗IN JUNE 1841, REPUBLIC OF TEXAS PRESIDENT MIRABEAU B. LAMAR COMMISSIONED AN EFFORT TO INCREASE TEXAS’ POLITICAL, MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL INFLUENCE IN SANTA FE, THEN A PART OF MEXICO CLAIMED BY THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS. A…
View on map ↗In the 1890s, large Catholic communities were established in North Texas. Father J.J. O’Riordan from Henrietta traveled to Bridgeport once a month by train to hold mass, so a mission was established. The mission of St.…
View on map ↗In middle of 1400 Block of Carpenter Street--in front of the old Bridgeport High School building/City of Bridgeport Maintenance Facility
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