A Jesse James Hideout
Archer City, Archer County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Jesse James, celebrated 1860s-1882 Missouri outlaw, used to visit in Archer City in house built by Stone Land and Cattle Company for its manager, Allen H. Parmer (1848-1927), his Confederate comrade of the Civil War and husband of his sister Susan (1849-89). With Frank James, his brother and aide, the outlaw chief hid at the Parmers' when hunted for train and bank robberies or on other occasions. Jesse James was killed in 1882; Frank and his wife continued to visit at Parmer's house, which was later moved from original site. Parmer brought up a family of respected, upright citizens. Erected by Archer County Historical Survey Committee. House is shown only by appointment, 1972.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
The notorious Missouri outlaw Jesse James found a haven in Archer City at a house built for Allen H. Parmer, his Confederate war comrade and brother-in-law who managed the Stone Land and Cattle Company. When hunted for train and bank robberies, Jesse and his brother Frank would lie low at the Parmer home. Jesse was killed in 1882, but Frank kept visiting, while Parmer himself raised a family of respected citizens.
Why it matters
The site ties the mythology of the Wild West outlaw to the real network of Confederate kinship and frontier ranching that sheltered him.
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Related people
- · Jesse James
- · Frank James
- · Allen H. Parmer
Themes & tags
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