Burton Community
Burton, Washington County, Texas
Marker Inscription
John M. Burton (1806-77) of Georgia came to Texas in the 1820s, and to this area in 1834. When the Houston & Texas Central Railroad was being built in 1869, he sold land for townsite. Post office opened Sept. 23, 1870, with Charles Huberich as postmaster. Early businesses included a mercantile store, lumber yard, blacksmith, tin shop, cotton gin, oil mill, drugstore, and leather shop. The noted Texas Ranger Captain L. H. McNelly lived here. After service with State Police, he came home and raised two Ranger units that reflected credit on citizens of the Burton community, 1874-1877.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Georgia-born John M. Burton reached this area in 1834 and sold land for a townsite when the Houston & Texas Central Railroad arrived in 1869; a post office opened the next year. Stores, a cotton gin, an oil mill, and other trades soon followed. The town also counted among its residents the famed Texas Ranger Captain L. H. McNelly, who raised two Ranger units here in the 1870s.
Why it matters
Burton's rise shows how the railroad conjured new towns across Texas, and its Ranger connection ties the community to the turbulent law-and-order struggles of the frontier.
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Related people
- · John M. Burton
- · Capt. L. H. McNelly
Themes & tags
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