The Hord Log Cabin
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
First permanent structure built on the west side of the Trinity River in Dallas, this cabin of hand-hewn logs was erected in 1845 by Judge William H. Hord (d. 1901), Dallas County Judge, 1848-50, who brought his family here by covered wagon from Tennessee. In 1887 Oak Cliff developer T.L. Marsalis bought the Hord property. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Weiss rescued the cabin and gave it in 1942 to American Legion Post No. 275 and Auxiliary. The restored building became a museum in 1976. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Judge William H. Hord hauled his family west from Tennessee by covered wagon, he built this hand-hewn log cabin in 1845 — the first permanent structure on the west bank of the Trinity in what became Dallas. Hord served as county judge in the late 1840s, and the property later passed to Oak Cliff developer T.L. Marsalis. Rescued by the Weiss family and given to an American Legion post, the restored cabin opened as a museum in 1976.
Why it matters
As the first permanent building west of the Trinity, the cabin marks the literal edge of settlement that would grow into modern Dallas.
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Related people
- · William H. Hord
- · T.L. Marsalis
Themes & tags
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