Delaware, New Castle County, Wilmington
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Along this curve of the Brandywine, two brothers, Joshua and Thomas Gilpin, established the first paper mill in Delaware in 1787. Their high quality paper was handmade, one sheet at a time, from rags carted up from nearby Wilmington. In 1795, Thomas Gilpin built a mansion overlooking the mills and called it ‘Kentmere’ after their ancestral home in England. Thomas Gilpin revolutionized the paper industry by inventing and patenting a machine to make paper in an endless roll. Continuous paper manufacturing began on this site in August 1817. In May 1821, the famous Lavoisier’s Atlas was published on Gilpin paper. The Gilpins overcame a flood in 1822 and a massive fire in 1825 before selling the business in 1837. The mills were destroyed by flooding in 1839.
(Industry & Commerce) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Along this curve of the Brandywine, two brothers, Joshua and Thomas Gilpin, established the first paper mill in Delaware in 1787. Their high quality paper was handmade, one sheet at a time, from rags carted up from nearby Wilmington. In 1795, Thomas Gilpin built a mansion overlooking the mills and called it ‘Kentmere’ after their ancestral home in England. Thomas Gilpin revolutionized the paper industry by inventing and patenting a machine to make paper in an endless roll. Continuous paper manufacturing began on this site in August 1817. In May 1821, the famous Lavoisier’s Atlas was published on Gilpin paper. The Gilpins overcame a flood in 1822 and a massive fire in 1825 before selling the business in 1837. The mills were destroyed by flooding in 1839.(Industry & Commerce) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
William Ellicott commissioned architect N. G. Starkweather and builder C. Timanus to build this home of rubble stone, stuccoed in old Maryland Gold. In the 1850's. Home to Judge John Snowden Tyson, whose surviving maiden daughter Ida lived here until the 1920's. Late home to the Louis T. Clark family of 13. Purchased by Charles Miller in the 1970's and converted to offices. HEC, Inc. Decorator Show House in 1995 and 2013. 
Goshute people were one band of many Shoshone Indians
Pioneers in this Texas area. Had early cotton gin and ferry. Founder of family was Jared E. Groce (1782-1836), who came to Texas in 1822. His large wagon train brought elaborate plantation equipment. Groce built "Bernardo" and "Groce's Retreat." Heirs built "Pleasant Hill," "Eagle Island" and "Liendo" (the only surviving Groce mansion, 2 mi. NW of here). A contribution of the family to the cause of Texas freedom was providing rations and ferry service to army of Gen. Houston on eve of San Jacinto victory. Descendants have contributed leadership to the state.
Capt. Ralph Sheldon, leading several hundred Confederates of Company C, 2nd Kentucky Cavalry, descended on Bardstown on Sunday morning, July 5, 1863. They drove the handful of Union troops occupying Bardstown into a livery stable two blocks north of the courthouse. Lt. Thomas W. Sullivan of the 4th U.S. Cavalry took up position in the livery stable and defended it for several hours against the attacking Confederates.
Established in 1855 and chartered in 1856 to replace Rutersville and Wesleyan Colleges. Closed during the Civil War and later by yellow fever. Succeeded in 1875 by Southwestern University
Founded 1847. Named for Robert Chappell, an 1841 settler. Early education center, with Chappell Hill Male and Female Institute, 1852, and Soule University, 1850.
In August 1907, the Brenham Creamery Company formed to purchase excess dairy products from farmers and produce butter local sales. In 1911, the creamery began making ice cream, producing a maximum of two gallons each day. E.F. Kruse, who managed the creamery from 1919 to 1951, changed the company's name to Blue Bell Creameries in 1930. During the company's early years, management set the tone for careful business practices and respect for tradition. Under the Kruse family's leadership, business expanded into markets outside of Brenham. Blue Bell has become one of the nation's most successful ice cream brands with a focus on its "country" origins, quality ingredients and friendly service.
On April 3, 1863, two Union brigades under Gen. Stanley advanced to this position to battle a Confederate Division commanded by Col. Gano of Morgan's Cavalry ½ mile east on Snow Hill. Union wounded were taken to the Williams house 300 yards to the east. Union dead were buried 300 yards northeast in unmarked graves. Confederate dead were buried near the Methodist Church 4 miles east in unmarked graves. Stone breastworks used by the Confederates are still present at the foot of Snow Hill.
In 1690 the Spanish gave the name "San Francisco" to this 62-mile Brazos River tributary; but on an 1822 map, Stephen F. Austin, "Father of Texas", marked it "Yegua", Spanish for "mare". Mustang mares and foals then grazed among the Indians on the timbered creek. In 1826, colonist John P. Coles built a mill on the stream. A measure signed in 1837 by Texas President Sam Houston made the Yegua a county boundary. Floods often devastated the area until Lake Somerville harnessed Yegua's waters in 1967. Now a recreation area, the lake and creek benefit crops, wild life, and vacationers.
In 1906 Somerville hosted the annual reunion of the Hood's Texas Brigade Association, a group established in 1872 for veterans of the celebrated Confederate unit. For two days, June 27-28, 74 veterans were honored with a celebration which included speeches, a baseball game, and a grand ball. The local events were planned under the direction of the Association's President R. A. Brantley, Sr., and his daughter Mrs. Norton B. Wellborn, both of Somerville. Part of a tradition which ended in 1934, the reunion reflected the area's respect for the former Civil War soldiers.
Fred Harvey, a native of England, began operation of his Santa Fe Railroad dining rooms in 1876. In 1900 a Harvey House opened in Somerville, Divisional Headquarters of the Santa Fe Line. The 2-story, galleried structure was 260 ft. long and contained a dining room, guest rooms, library and reading room. The Harvey House served travelers and railroad workers in an atmosphere of elegance. It became the social center of the town and boosted the local economy. The Harvey House closed in 1940 and was dismantled in 1943. The present depot is a part of the original building.
Located where two branches of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway joined, town was named for Albert Somerville, first president of the railroad. First settlers arrived after town was surveyed about 1883; the post office was permanently established in 1897. Somerville boomed in the 1890s when local citizens persuaded a railroad tie plant to locate here. Santa Fe Railroad bought the operation in 1905; this is still an important industry. Incorporated in 1913, the town has become a recreation center since Lake Somerville was created in the 1960s.
This railroad bell was given in memory of James W. Lauderdale (1854-1914), Burleson County pioneer. He came by covered wagon caravan from Mississippi to Texas in 1888 He married Florance Brooks. They had four children: Cyrus, Davis, Charles and Erin. Lauderdale was a land owner, rock quarrier and successful stockman with the first Hereford cattle in the area. He was instrumental in bringing Santa Fe tie plant to Somerville. Ties came from East Texas pineywoods via Beaumont branch, creosote from Germany via Galveston, water from Lauderdale's big lake (now Big Creek Marina).
When Mexican Dictator Santa Anna revoked national rights, 30 or more men from this sparsely settled area left to resist his armies in Grass Fight (Nov. 26, 1835), Siege of Bexar (Dec. 5-9) and other actions. While able men were absent, the foe came within 40 miles of here, pillaging the country. Civilians fled over the swollen Brazos, toward safety in the United States. Their men on April 21, 1836, helped win Battle of San Jacinto and Independence. Some were in Regular Infantry Company A; Companies C, F, and H, 1st Regiment, and 4th Company, 2nd Regiment, Texas Volunteers.
In rich Brazos River basin; had settlers early as 1825. Site in 1830 of Tenoxtitlan, one of 3 forts built by Mexico in Texas, situated above El Camino Real (The King's Highway) crossing on Brazos River. North of the road was Sterling Robertson's Colony; south, the colony of Stephen F. Austin.
In 1840 the Republic of Texas Congress annexed to Milam County all of Washington County north of Yegua Creek and west of the Brazos River. The name Caldwell, which honored Mathew "Old Paint" Caldwell, a noted pioneer and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, was chosen for a settlement that would become the seat of a future county. Following a land title dispute, this site was selected for the proposed town. Located on the Old San Antonio Road, it had been settled earlier by Virginia native Lewis L. Chiles, a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto who had operated a trading post on Davidson Creek.
Born in Tennessee c. 1836-37, John Mitchell came to Texas in 1846. He began purchasing land in this area in 1870, the same year he married Viney Cox. As a member of both the 12th and 14th Legislatures, Mitchell championed increased educational opportunities for African Americans. Elected as a delegate to the 1875 Constitutional Convention, he defended the policies of Gov. Davis and was one of 11 members to vote against adoption of the new constitution, which ultimately marked the end of reconstruction in Texas. John Mitchell returned to Burleson County as a farmer and rancher, and donated land for a church and school that bore his name. Upon his death in 1921, he was buried in a family graveyard.
