Wheeler, Texas.
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Built 1914 by Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Porter, pioneer settlers; Porter, an ex-cowboy, ranched near here after marrying Millie, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Jones, 1886 settlers in Mobeetie area.
Millie (1877-1957) as a child helped herd sheep; she attended Fort Worth University as a girl, University of Oklahoma at 70.
She wrote valuable histories: "Put Up or Shut Up" and "Memory Cups of Panhandle Pioneers". Mr. & Mrs. Porter had six children.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Built 1914 by Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Porter, pioneer settlers; Porter, an ex-cowboy, ranched near here after marrying Millie, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Jones, 1886 settlers in Mobeetie area.Millie (1877-1957) as a child helped herd sheep; she attended Fort Worth University as a girl, University of Oklahoma at 70.
She wrote valuable histories: "Put Up or Shut Up" and "Memory Cups of Panhandle Pioneers". Mr. & Mrs. Porter had six children.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
The site of Wheeler Cemetery was conveyed to J.E. Stanley, trustee for the Wheeler Community graveyard, by R.M. Stone and Nellie J. Stone, original owners of the property, in 1907. There are more than 2,700 recognized graves with the first tombstone dating back to 1904. The cemetery is the burial site of many veterans including at least one from the Civil War, 31 from WWI, 81 from WWII, 10 from the Korean War, six from Vietnam and one from Iraq. Other notable burials include Abraham Finsterwald, a soldier stationed at Fort Elliott in 1887-88; a bank robber; and a cat. Many civic leaders who built the community of Wheeler have their final resting place at this cemetery.
Two blocks east - site of
(eagle)
in honor of
World War I and II Veterans
who nobly gave their lives
for the American cause
of liberty and justice
Mulford Butler Post No. 511
American Legion McComb, Ohio
(2 American Legion logos)
From this point due westward the first white settlers found a succession of Indian campsites. These camps were located near natural springs in the heavily wooded area north of the Waukesha Indian Trail.
In nearby Grace Church Cemetery is the tomb of Lieut. Commander John E. Hart, U.S. Gunboat Albatross, buried at Episcopal service & with Naval & Masonic honors by Brother Masons of Feliciana Lodge No. 31 F.&A.M., June 11, 1863.
The Walnut Creek and Mt. Diablo Central Hotel sat across from here on Pacheco Road (now Main Street), which connected Martinez to San Jose. Antonio Botelho, who had purchased the surrounding farm land, bought the hotel in 1882 and converted it to his family home.
Site of 
In 1871, residents voted to tax themselves $1,500 for a school. Central School, built on a hill on School Street (now Locust Street), had 40 students its first year. The larger Walnut Creek Grammar School, on the same site, replaced Central School in 1912.
The 1951 debut of Broadway Shopping Center transformed Walnut Creek into the commercial center of the region. Originally, many of the stores were clustered around a central "horseshoe" parking lot that was anchored by the trademark Broadway sign.
Walnut Creek Grammar School replaced the 40-year-old Central School on this site in 1912. The school was expanded several times. After WW II, neighborhood elementary schools were built. The downtown school closed in 1957 and the site became part of a commercial center.
Walnut Creek's first Catholic church was dedicated in 1884 on this site. A wooden structure of Gothic design, St. Mary's also served as a community center for many local Portuguese families. The parish later moved to its location on Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
Two giant date palms flanked the entrance to this stately home, owned by Michael Kirsch and his family. Kirsch owned a blacksmith and wheelwright shop next door to this house, at the corner of Main Street and Lafayette Road (now Mt. Diablo Boulevard.
Mobeetie cemetery is the first known established cemetery in the Texas panhandle. It was born of necessity, established as a final resting place for those whose journey ended in Mobeetie, which evolved from an 1875 hunter’s camp and nearby army post. Over the course of time, some of the grave markers have been destroyed by both tornadoes and natural decay. The oldest gravestone remaining is dated May 2, 1882. Other burials include outlaws, accused horse thieves, those killed by an 1898 cyclone, ladies of the evening and the infant daughter of Temple Lea Houston. In addition, it is also the final resting place for the famed Texas ranger, Captain G.W. Arrington.
First jail in Panhandle of Texas. Central holding place for badmen. Built at cost of $18,500, including $1200 for a hangman's device put in to meet state requirement. Stone quarried on farm of Emanuel Dubbs, first county judge.
First county judge in Texas Panhandle and in Wheeler County, Dubbs was born in Ohio. Came to know Texas as a buffalo hunter, and was in famous Indian Battle of Adobe Walls, 1874. Gained wide respect when, as judge, he had a lawless U.S. marshal arrested. He served 1879-1880; 1885-1890.
First stood about a mile to the northwest, at Fort Elliott, established 1875 to protect the Texas Panhandle from Indians.
First judge of the 35th District, then comprising entire Panhandle. Born in Indiana, he came to Texas in search of new horizons.
From earliest times, Main Street (then Pacheco Road) was a highway. It was a main stagecoach route from Martinez to San Jose. Main Street was paved in 1921 and served as a state highway until the freeway opened in 1960.
