Jonesboro
Manchester, Red River County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(About a half mile NW was 19th century town) One of first ports of entry into Texas for Anglo-Americans. Opened early as 1814; heavily used by 1817. Named for 1819-21 ferry owner Henry Jones (1789-1861). Claimed by both Mexico and the United States, town was 1828-37 county seat of Miller County, Ark. Community had 2,350 people by 1834. At this crossing Sam Houston (1832) and David Crockett (1835) entered Texas. A well-known road led southeastward to other colonies by way of Nacogdoches. In 1836, Clarksville became Red River District's capital. By 1840 Jonesboro had lots its trade and many settlers to other areas.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
On the Red River, Jonesboro was one of the earliest ports of entry into Texas for Anglo-Americans, in use by 1814 and busy by 1817, named for ferry owner Henry Jones. Claimed by both Mexico and the United States, it served as county seat of Arkansas's Miller County and counted some 2,350 residents by 1834. Sam Houston crossed into Texas here in 1832 and David Crockett in 1835 — but by 1840 the town had lost its trade and settlers to rival communities.
Why it matters
This vanished river crossing was a doorway through which many of the Anglo-American settlers — and legends — of early Texas first entered the land.
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Related people
- · Henry Jones
- · Sam Houston
- · David Crockett
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
William Becknell
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