Tilden

Tilden's name came from a loser. Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote for president in 1876 and lost the office by one electoral vote after a disputed count, and the Texas settlement surveyed in 1877 was probably named for him. By 1876 it already had four general stores, a grocery, two saloons, a drugstore and a hotel. Methodists and Baptists shared a church built in 1878, with a Catholic church soon after. The weekly Tilden Ledger was publishing by 1884 for about 250 residents.

What the plaque says

Tilden Settled 1858 as Rio Frio. Later called "Dog Town" because ranchers used many dogs to round up cattle. 1871 townsite was laid out as Colfax. Made county seat 1877. Renamed for S.J. Tilden, who won popular vote for U.S. President, 1876. Ranching and petroleum center. Noted for fine rural high school, annual rodeo, historic sites. 1966

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Choke Canyon State Park — 12 mi
  A reservoir state park on the Frio River in two units, built after a 1982 dam, with birds, alligators and fishing on land people have crossed for more than 10,000 years.

More markers nearby

• McMullen County — steps away
• Boot Hill Cemetery — steps away
• Moses William Hindes — steps away
• Camp Rio Frio, C.S.A. — 0.2 mi