Town of Shepherd

Robert Scott Lovett began practicing law at Cold Springs after the bar admitted him on December 22, 1882, the Handbook of Texas says. In 1884 he became general attorney for the Houston, East and West Texas Railway, the line whose investors founded Shepherd. He joined the Houston firm that became Baker, Botts, Baker and Lovett in 1892, moved to New York in 1904 as general counsel for the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific, and in 1909 succeeded E. H. Harriman as president and chairman. He married Lavinia Abercrombie of Huntsville in 1890.

What the plaque says

Town of Shepherd Originated in vicinity of Old Drew's Landing, a Trinity River port for settlers bringing in goods and shipping cotton, tobacco, and other products to markets. An early nearby community was Big Creek. Into these pioneer settlements came Houston East & West Texas Railroad investors, including Benjamin A. Shepherd (1814-1891) of Houston, who in 1875 platted townsite here, naming it for himself. The town square was on west side of H. E. & W. T., which was completed beyond this point in 1879. The Shepherd Post Office opened Dec. 22, 1879, with Jack B. Noble as postmaster. A pioneer physician was Dr. William Herbert Beazley (1837-1919); Mrs. Jessie Fain operated an early hotel; Mrs. Jane Langham taught first public school session, in Methodist church building. James Ephraim Tribe, a native of Canada, came here in 1895, was a carpenter, coffin maker, millwright, and wheelwright. A Baptist, he built a church edifice for that faith in 1896. Distinguished native son Robert Scott Lovett (1860-1932), became president of Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads and rendered outstanding civilian service to the nation during World War I. Once a center for the lumbering industry, Shepherd remains an important market town of southeast Texas. (1972)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Early Roads in Polk County — 9.3 mi
• Site of Council Hill — 9.5 mi
• San Jacinto County — 9.5 mi
• Site of the Town of Swartwout — 9.6 mi