Dulcinea Ann Holland Thompson Avriett
Athens, Henderson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(1834-1920) A native of Athens, Georgia, Dulcinea Ann Holland came to Henderson County with her family in 1847. She married E. J. Thompson in 1851. According to local tradition, she named the town of Athens after her birthplace. Following the death of her first husband in the 1860s, Dulcinea married James Avriett in 1867. They were the parents of two sons. She was a founding member of the local Methodist church and a dedicated civic leader.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Dulcinea Ann Holland came from Athens, Georgia, to Henderson County as a girl in 1847, and local tradition credits her with naming the new town of Athens for her birthplace. Widowed during the 1860s and remarried in 1867, she raised a family, helped found the local Methodist church, and became a respected civic leader. Her life spans the pioneer settlement and maturing of a East Texas community.
Why it matters
Her story reflects the often-unrecorded role of women in naming, building, and sustaining the towns of the American frontier.
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Related people
- · Dulcinea Ann Holland Thompson Avriett
Themes & tags
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