Colonel William G. Cooke
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
To the memory of Colonel William G. Cooke and forty other members of the Regular Army, Republic of Texas, who camped in this vicinity in October, 1840 while locating the Central National Highway. The importance of this military road in the history of Dallas will not be forgotten. (Corinth Street Viaduct, Dallas)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In October 1840, Colonel William G. Cooke and about forty men of the Republic of Texas Regular Army camped near this spot while laying out the Central National Highway, a military road meant to link the young republic's settlements. The route helped open the region that would become Dallas.
Why it matters
The road-building expedition marks the Republic of Texas's early efforts to knit its frontier together, work that shaped the future path of North Texas settlement.
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Related people
- · William G. Cooke
Themes & tags
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