Historical Marker
Old Waverly
Evergreen, San Jacinto County · Texas
Erected 1969
In September 1866, planters from Walker County met in Meyer Levy's general store at Waverly and formed the Waverly Emigration Society. The Handbook of Texas says twelve planters commissioned Levy, a Polish Jew and former Civil War blockade runner, to find about 150 laborers in Europe. Few families came at first, but they and their descendants became an important cultural element in Walker County. Waverly's leaders later refused the Houston and Great Northern a right-of-way, and the railroad town of New Waverly was founded ten miles west in 1870.
What the plaque says
Old Waverly Early center of culture for this part of Texas. Settled 1835-1850's, mainly by people from Alabama. Community was named for the Waverley novels of Sir Walter Scott, then very popular. To provide education equal to any, Waverly Institute was founded in 1854, with separate departments for boys and girls. Plantation system prevailed until 1860's. During Civil War, Federal troops camped in heart of Waverly, on Soldier's Hill. Of three early churches, only the Presbyterian (organized in 1860) still exists; its present building was erected in 1904. (1969)
Where it stands
30.52718, -95.35317 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Waverly Cemetery — 0.7 mi
- Cunningham, Minnie Fisher — 8.2 mi
- Site of Former Town of Danville — 10 mi
- Site of Willis Cigar Factory — 10 mi