Historical Marker

Butler Soldiers' Homes, C.S.A.

Butler, Freestone County · Texas
Erected 1965

The plaque praises the soldiers' homes as neighborliness, but the county behind them rested on slavery: in 1860, 3,613 of Freestone's 6,881 people were enslaved, according to the Handbook of Texas. Butler began in 1852 as West Point Hill, where John T. Gill built a store and warehouse and families from Butler County, Alabama, settled. It took the name Butler in 1856, and by 1858 had a doctor, a store and a Masonic lodge. Railroad talks failed in 1872, and the town fell from 300 people in 1880 to 150 in 1892. Its post office closed in 1916.

What the plaque says

Butler Soldiers' Homes, C.S.A. Commissioners courts in Texas usually furnished to soldiers enlisting in the Civil War their uniforms, guns, blankets-- and sometimes even their horses. The county courts also aided dependents, war orphans and widows. Further, they recognized local people who had "soldiers' homes," and reimbursed them for meals given men en route to and from the army on furloughs and special missions. Freestone County had at least 11 soldiers' homes. Near this site, one of 2 in Butler was run by Hillary Manning, a plantation owner. A soldiers' home usually was set up as an act of neighborliness. The Rev. Thomas Castleton, who lived near Houston, organized many homes. Also he commended the people of Butler, Fairfield, Goliad and Hillsboro for setting up soldiers' homes of their own accord. At Christmas in 1864, Rev. Castleton received for the benefit of the soldiers donations of 4100 in gold, 3 beef animals and 2 milk cows, gifts of private citizens supporting the work. He also was given a 3-story brick hotel to be used as a soldiers' home. Other soldiers' homes were at Columbus, Crockett, Palestine and Richmond (Fort Bend County) like many other productive activities carried on voluntarily. These homes showed the concern of Texas for her men. (1965)

Where it stands

31.66502, -95.92709 · Directions

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