Home of Stephen Bethel Strawn
Strawn, Palo Pinto County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born in Giles county, Tennessee. Came to Palo Pinto County, 1859, among first settlers in region. Married Jane Allen, July 18, 1860. Served in Co. B, State Troops, during Civil War, protecting frontier. Built this house in mid-1870s. Founded city of Strawn, 1880, to encourage Texas & Pacific Railway company to build through area. He was landowner, rancher, and banker, with interests in local coal mining activities. (1973)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Tennessee-born Stephen Bethel Strawn came to Palo Pinto County in 1859 as one of its first settlers, married the next year, and served in the state troops guarding the frontier during the Civil War. He built this house in the mid-1870s and in 1880 founded the town of Strawn to entice the Texas & Pacific Railway through the area. A rancher, landowner, banker, and investor in local coal mining, he embodied the many roles a frontier town-founder played.
Why it matters
His life links the great engines of West Texas growth—cattle, coal, banking, and above all the railroad that turned raw land into towns.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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