Historical Markers in Newton, Texas

Newton County · 1936

Formed from Jasper County; created April 22, 1846, organized July 13, 1846. Named in honor of Sergeant John Newton, 1752-1807. Hero of the American Revolution. County seat, Newton, 1846; Burkeville, 1848; Newton, since…

Josephus S. Irvine · 1962

Star and Wreath Josephus S. Irvine, born August 25, 1819. Came to Texas in 1830. Soldier in the Battle of San Jacinto. Major in Spaight's Eleventh Texas Regiment, C.S.A. Chaplain of the Grand Lodge AF & AM, 1860. Died…

Newton County, C.S.A. · 1965

Supply and military center in the Civil War. Target area for Federals trying to move up the Sabine or across Louisiana and take Texas. Confederates built breastworks and maintained arsenal at Burkeville. Major supply…

W. H. Ford Male & Female College · 1965

Formerly W. H. Ford Male & Female College (1889-1906). Named for secretary of the Southwest College Company. President Joseph Syler and his wife were the teachers. High-school level, as were many early Texas "colleges";…

Blum Male & Female College · 1967

Chartered February 26, 1880, by 36 incorporators; named for Leon Blum, Galveston merchant, largest holder in $20,000 capital stock -- $5 per share. First directors were: R. J. Brailsford, H. J. Casey, W. W. Downs, W. A.…

Site of Old Burr's Ferry (At Highway Bridge) · 1968

An important communications point between Texas and the United States, especially during settlement era of early 1800's. Named for Dr. Timothy Burr (1790-1852), second cousin of U. S. Vice President Aaron Burr. Dr. Burr…

Town of Newton · 1970

Located in the easternmost county of Texas, this town was little more than a forest of oaks and beeches when laid out in 1853. Due to its central location, it was elected county seat the same year, winning over…

Autrey-Williams House · 1981

The home of several leading Newton County businessmen, this house was constructed in 1912 by turpentine producer L. M. Autrey. In 1918 he sold it to N. A. Dawson, a road contractor. From 1923 to 1979 it was the home of…

Farr's Chapel Cemetery · 1984

Located in the yard of a Methodist church founded in 1868 by Alfred Farr, this cemetery contains more than 150 tombstones placed since the 1850s and 1860s. The first grave, that of Mollie Westbrook, is marked by a rock…

Old Union Church & Cemetery · 1984

This Baptist Church was organized formally in 1855 with 54 charter members, although records indicate a congregation was in existence as early as 1851. An early 1900s fire burned their log sanctuary, which was replaced…

First Baptist Church of Newton · 1986

The earliest record of this congregation dates to 1861, when the Newton Baptist Church with a membership of about 35 was accepted into the Bethlehem Association. The first known pastor was the Rev. R. F. Fancher.…

Howell Cemetery · 1986

The family of James William (1805-1876) and Louisa Cheshire (1816-1899) Howell came to this area from Alabama in 1872. Family members bought adjoining land, and the settlement, named Howell, was granted a post office in…

Trout Creek Cemetery · 1989

Originally a part of the James West Survey, this cemetery dates to the early 1860s. The land was later owned by Mrs. Frances Ann Dyer (d.1890), and upon her death was inherited by her daughter Udora Dyer Ratcliff…

William Blewett · 1997

(1830-1862) Georgia native William Blewett came to Texas with his family in 1849. They settled first in Jasper County, where he was district surveyor about 1853. He married a cousin, Nancy Adams; they later became the…

Trout Creek Missionary Baptist Church · 2002

Trout Creek Missionary Baptist Church Local oral tradition holds that the Trout Creek Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1876. An early church building had that year inscribed on it, and the congregation…

Wilson Chapel Cemetery · 2002

Wilson Chapel Cemetery (also known as Woods Cemetery or Irvine Cemetery) David McMahon (1806-1873), first Newton County attorney, is credited with the founding of Wilson Chapel. His grave is marked, as are three others:…

Newton Cemetery · 2005

This cemetery has served the town of Newton since it was officially set aside in 1903. The first burial, however, dates to 1864, when the landowner, G.W. Robinson, buried his young son. After Robinson passed away, a…

Woods Park (Newton County Fairgrounds) · 2008

In 1937, the Southwestern Settlement and Development Company deeded land to Newton County. This property would become known as Woods Park, named for the company's surveyor, C.A. Woods. County resident sused the park for…

Newton County Pre-War Maneuvers · 2010

By 1941, the U.S. military was painfully aware of its unpreparedness to combat the modern mechanized armies in Europe. To increase its combat effectiveness, the U.S. Army conducted the Louisiana maneuvers, which…

Fawil Sam Herrin Cemetery · 2013

The Fawil Community, which once had three churches, a school, a plywood mill and a store, also includes three family cemeteries along the main road. Sam and Mary (Cochran) Herrin Homesteaded on 106 acres and had 11…

Biloxi Evergreen Cemetery · 2020

marker pending

Newton City Cemetery