Henderson Yoakum Homesite

Yoakum moved to his country home, Shepherd's Valley, seven miles from Huntsville, in July 1853, the Handbook of Texas says. He finished his two-volume History of Texas there in 1855. The book's full title spans the first settlement in 1685 to annexation to the United States in 1846. The Handbook adds that Sam Houston was said to have supplied much of the information in it. The Texas Centennial Commission placed a marker at the site in 1936, the Handbook records. Yoakum died in Houston on November 30, 1856.

What the plaque says

Henderson Yoakum Homesite Soldier and politician Henderson Yoakum (1810-1856) arrived in Texas in oct. 1845 from Tennessee. In Dec. 1847, he purchased 640 acres from J.H. Shepherd seven miles east of Huntsville. At this site Yoakum built a center-hall country home from hand-hewn logs and mill-sawn framing and moved from Huntsville. He divided his time between practicing law, teaching at Austin College, and researching and writing. It was here that he wrote a comprehensive two volume history of Texas, published in 1855 and still significant among historical writings. In 1876, the Texas legislature created and named Yoakum county in his honor. A Texas centennial historical marker was placed at the site of his home in shepherd's valley in 1936. (2016)

Where it stands

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