Donahoe Community
Bartlett vicinity, Bell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Colonists settled in the late 1840s along the fertile Donahoe Creek. Samuel Gibbs Leatherman (1799-1888) arrived in 1854 and opened the first mercantile store. He gave land for the cemetery and brought in the first doctor. In 1880 Leatherman donated land for the schoolhouse. It also served as a church until 1911 when Thomas Jefferson Jones and his wife gave this site for the Baptist church. Donahoe boasted a town square, post office, telephone system and voting precinct. With the coming of good roads to other towns, Donahoe declined, leaving only the cemetery. (1978)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Settlers put down roots along fertile Donahoe Creek in the late 1840s, and when Samuel Gibbs Leatherman arrived in 1854 he opened the first store, gave land for the cemetery, and brought in the first doctor. The little community grew to boast a town square, post office, telephone system, and its own school and church. When good roads drew people to larger towns, Donahoe faded until only its cemetery remained.
Why it matters
Donahoe's rise and quiet disappearance is the story of countless rural crossroads communities that flourished before the automobile rerouted American life.
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Related people
- · Samuel Gibbs Leatherman
- · Thomas Jefferson Jones
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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