Historian seeks to replace markers
Archaeological steward finds broken signs about area’s history
Texas Archaeological Steward Bob Vernon of Atlanta, Texas, enjoys historical “finds.” Recently, he discovered several “smashed” ones. Here’s his story.
In 2010 when serving as historical marker chairman for the Cass County Historical Commission, Vernon visited the Atlanta District office of the Texas Department of Transportation to examine the newly arrived historical marker for the Pleasant Hill Rosenwald School.
While there, he was also shown a pile of smashed historical markers, which he was told had been originally sited along State Line Avenue (U. S. 71) north of Texarkana between Sugar Hill Road and the Red River.
When the highway was expanded to four lanes across the Red River flood plain, all four of the markers were relocated to a single site near where the divided highway begins.
“Then a semi truck mowed them down,” Vernon quickly learned.
To have the markers repaired and replaced, Vernon first looked for an individual or organization to take the responsibility. He discussed the matter with the Texas Historical Commission, knowing that Bowie County didn’t have a historical commission.
For several years, Vernon let the matter rest. During this time, he had a plan to use the smashed markers and their restoration as a reason for the creation of a Bowie County Historical Commission. That idea did not come to fruition.
The markers tell of four interesting facts of Texas history. Here is an opening description of each:
Caddo Indian Village. “Near here for 1,000 years, 800-1800 A.D., lived civilized Caddoes …”
Disciples: “The First Disciples of Christ in Texas worshipped here at McKinney’s Landing in 1831 … it’s first leader was Collin McKinney … Collin County and the City of McKinney bear his name.”
Trammel’s Trace: “Entered Texas at this point … brought great numbers of pioneers (including) Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, James Bowie, David Crockett.”
The French in Texas: “Another Fort Saint Louis among Nassonite Indians a few miles northwest of this marker … some 250,000 French and Caddo Indian artifacts have been found.”
In 2016 at the book signing in Texarkana for Gary Pinkerton’s book on Trammel’s Trace, Vernon mentioned the smashed plaques to several faculty and officials of Texarkana College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana and found an interest among the leaders.
“I’ve found that all the markers need repair and that at least two might have to be re-cast which would involve several thousand dollars of expense that could or should be borne by Bowie County or donors,” Vernon said.
“I have a hope that markers can be repaired and replaced, especially for their historical value. If any person or organization wants to join in that restoration or make a donation toward it, I would be happy to be contacted by email at bobv@aol.com.”
Vernon is a past chairman of the Cass County Historical Commission. He concluded with a thankyou.
“I want to express my personal appreciation to Dr. Tom Wagy and Dr. Emily Cutrer of TAMU-T, Bob Brinkman of the Texas Historical Commission, and the Atlanta District TxDOT staff for their efforts toward saving these four ‘orphaned’ Bowie County Historical Markers,” he said.