Bailey County

Peter James Bailey, the county's namesake, was born in Kentucky in 1812 and took a law degree at Transylvania University in 1834. In January 1836 he came to Texas with Daniel W. Cloud and others from Logan County, Kentucky; they swore allegiance before John Forbes at Nacogdoches on January 14 and enrolled in the Texas army as members of the Tennessee Mounted Volunteers. Both died with David Crockett at the Alamo on March 6. Bailey's heirs received land for his service in what are now Archer, Baylor and Hamilton counties.

What the plaque says

Bailey County A part of Bexar Territory 1836-1876. Created August 21, 1876. Organized November 5, 1918. Named in honor of Peter James Bailey 1812-1836. A Kentucky lawyer killed in defending the Alamo. Muleshoe, the County Seat.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge — 19 mi
  The oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas, a ring of salt lakes in the sandhills south of Muleshoe where tens of thousands of sandhill cranes winter in a wet year.

More markers nearby

• The Founding of Bailey County — steps away
• The Mule — 0.2 mi
• Old Hurley — 2.7 mi
• The XIT Ranch South Line — 3.0 mi