HistoricSiteMarkers
Civil WarReconstruction & Gilded Age

Terryville

Yoakum, DeWitt County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Founded near this site in the 1850s, Terryville was named for the family of James D. Terry, who served as De Witt County judge from 1883 to 1891. The community raised a cavalry company for the Confederate Army and had a post office by 1869. The post office and most residents moved in the 1880s to a new location 2.5 miles away. The community prospered until the early 20th century. The post office was discontinued in 1907. The old cemetery remains at the first townsite, while a Baptist church still exists at the second location. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Founded in the 1850s and named for the family of county judge James D. Terry, Terryville raised a cavalry company for the Confederate Army and had a post office by 1869. In the 1880s the post office and most residents relocated about 2.5 miles away, and the original office closed in 1907. Today an old cemetery marks the first townsite while a Baptist church survives at the second.

Why it matters

Terryville's rise, wartime contribution, and slow dispersal typify the many small DeWitt County communities that formed, sent sons to the Civil War, and then quietly relocated or faded.

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Related people

  • · James D. Terry

Themes & tags

Civil WarWestward ExpansionGhost TownsFrontier HistoryLandmark

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