Rawhide Creek and Park
Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Named for enterprise of R. J. West (b. 1811), an 1845 settler and an organizer of Dallas County in 1846. West had tanyard (4/10 mi. SW) on this creek about 1846. To meet demand, half-cured hides came from his vats, giving name "Rawhide" to the creek. The historical park was established in 1969.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
R. J. West, who settled here in 1845 and helped organize Dallas County the next year, ran a tanyard along this creek around 1846. Demand ran so high that half-cured hides came straight from his vats, earning the stream the earthy name 'Rawhide.' The historical park preserving the story was established in 1969.
Why it matters
A humble tannery and the creek it named recall the small frontier industries that supplied the tools and goods early Texas settlements couldn't buy elsewhere.
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Related people
- · R. J. West
Themes & tags
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