Missouri Colony
Grapevine, Tarrant County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1844 related families from Platte County, Missouri, settled in this area. James Gibson, one of the earliest settlers in Tarrant County, owned this site. In 1845 more relatives and friends arrived. They became known as the "Missouri Colony". The pioneers raised cattle and grain. John. A Freeman taught school and preached to the settlers at Lonesome Dove. Some original colonists moved to pioneer other frontier regions. Others remained to help build the northeastern section of Tarrant County, the first permanently settled area in the county. (1979)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1844 a cluster of related families from Platte County, Missouri, made their way to this part of North Texas, settling on land owned by early pioneer James Gibson. More kin and friends followed in 1845, and the group became known as the "Missouri Colony," raising cattle and grain and worshiping and schooling their children at nearby Lonesome Dove. Some pressed on to open other frontiers, while others stayed to build the first permanently settled corner of Tarrant County.
Why it matters
The Missouri Colony marks the earliest lasting settlement of Tarrant County, a small chain-migration that helped anchor Anglo settlement on the Texas frontier.
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Related people
- · James Gibson
- · John A. Freeman
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Morgan Hood Survey Pioneer Cemetery
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