Ballinger
Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Originally called Hutchins City. Promoted by Santa Fe Rwy. Named for Judge William Pitt Ballinger (1825-1888), railroad attorney and townsite official. Distinguished Texas statesmen, veteran of the Mexican War. In the Civil War helped establish defenses of Galveston, served as Confederate receiver of enemy aliens property, was sent to negotiate peace for Texas. Ballinger is county seat, and farm-ranch center. Industries include dairying, meat products, leather goods manufacturing. Has annual rodeo, livestock and quarterhorse shows.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded as Hutchins City and promoted by the Santa Fe Railway, this West Texas town was renamed for Judge William Pitt Ballinger, a railroad attorney and townsite official. Ballinger was also a noted Texas statesman — a Mexican War veteran who during the Civil War helped organize the defenses of Galveston, served the Confederacy, and was later sent to negotiate peace for Texas. The town he lent his name to grew into a county seat and farm-and-ranch hub known for its rodeo and livestock shows.
Why it matters
The town's origin story ties the reach of the railroads to the careers of the lawyer-statesmen who shaped nineteenth-century Texas.
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Related people
- · William Pitt Ballinger
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Major Ben Ficklin, C.S.A.
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Abilene & Southern Depot
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Welsh-born railroad builder Morgan Jones and his nephews Morgan C. and Percy Jones laid the Abilene and Southern line between Abilene and Ballinger in 1909, and this stone depot rose soon after the first train arrived that September. Its design — with distinctive octagonal twin towers — was unusually elaborate for a depot of the era. The line carried a brisk passenger and freight trade until passenger service ended in 1941 and freight in 1966.
Colorado River Ferry Crossing
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In the 1880s this ferry carried travelers across the Colorado River on the Ballinger-San Angelo Road, with rates set by the county court ranging from a penny per head of livestock to a dollar for a six-horse wagon. It stayed in service until 1888, when the first wooden bridge finally spanned the river.
Sylvester Adams
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Sylvester Adams came to Texas as a young man and threw himself behind the Confederate cause, serving at Galveston during the Civil War. Afterward he helped organize Runnels County and became its first county judge, serving in the 1880s. When drought struck in 1886–1887 he worked to arrange relief, even as many proud residents refused what they saw as charity.