Historical Marker
Stonewall County
Aspermont, Stonewall County · Texas
The Handbook of Texas says the first ranch here was probably buffalo hunter John Goff's, who grazed 200 heifers on Tonk Creek in the winter of 1873. In 1877 One-Armed Jim Reed and son Paul brought 3,000 longhorns from Goliad County to found the Double Mountain Horseshoe T Cross Ranch, where Reed's stone house was designed to serve as a fort. The 1880 census found 104 people in the unorganized county. In the late 1890s workers at the Orient copper mines started a tent town that grew on false claims of a silver strike, but the mines soon closed.
What the plaque says
Explored 1541 on behalf of Spain by Francisco de Coronado. Visited by Texans early as the 1840s. Mapped by U.S. Army expedition of Capt. Randolph March, 1849. Yielded salt for use of early settlers and hunters. Was site of buffalo hunters' capital, Rath City, 1876-1879. County created in 1876; organized 1888. Named in honor of Confederate General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863), whose courage and fighting skill inspired Texas soldiers in the Civil War. First county seat, Rayner, replaced 1898 by Aspermont, named for high location. (1965)
Where it stands
33.14016, -100.22801 · Directions
More markers nearby
- County Named for Confederate Hero General "Stonewall" Jackson 1824-1863 — steps away
- Old Glory — 10 mi
- Peacock — 10 mi
- The Mackenzie Trail — 13 mi