Cline Community
Cline, Uvalde County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Cline Community (1/2 mi. S. of this site) First settler, Celeste Pingenot came to this area in 1870. He built first house on south bank of Turkey Creek, 1871. Established stagecoach stand, store and inn; named it Wallace. He was first postmaster, commissioned, 1878. Community protected from Indians by small detachment of soldiers billeted at "The Spring," nearby. August Cline was employed by Pingenot to operate store and stagecoach stand. When railroad came in 1883, built rock house and post office on north bank. Became postmaster. Renamed community, Cline. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1870 Celeste Pingenot pushed into this stretch of the Uvalde County frontier, throwing up the first house on Turkey Creek and opening a stage stand, store, and inn he called Wallace. A small detachment of soldiers billeted nearby guarded the settlers, and when the railroad arrived in 1883 the community shifted to the north bank and took the name Cline after the storekeeper who became its postmaster.
Why it matters
The story traces a classic arc of Western settlement — stagecoach outpost to railroad town — that repeated across the American frontier as rails redrew the map of who thrived and who was left behind.
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Related people
- · Celeste Pingenot
- · August Cline
Themes & tags
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