Chartered in 1890, the First Christian Church of Midland was organized by sixteen members who met in private homes until 1892. Tradition of service to the church and community began when charter member S.E. Townsend pledged $300 toward the first of two downtown church buildings. The church grew steadily; by 1950 the congregation had erected a large building on the northwestern edge of Midland, making additions as needed. In 1990, the congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary and continues to serve the community with a variety of outreach programs and religious activities.

One of earliest North Texas brick factories. Built in 1891 by George Bennett. Plant site located here because of large deposits of quality shale near Brazos River. Kilns were fired with locally mined coal; later with wood; then gas. Plant used mule-drawn wagons for short deliveries; the nearby T.&P. Railway for statewide sales.

By 1966, its 75th anniversary, Acme is the largest maker of face brick in the United States.

First manufacturer in Texas to make high-grade pressed brick. Founded 1891 by industrial pioneer George Bennett (1852-1907), developer of coal mining and other natural resources.

Located here because of large deposits of shale near Brazos River. Bennett Community grew up around plant, with dormitory and store. The kilns were fired with local fuel; coal, then wood.

Brick were shipped out by mule-drawn wagons or nearby Texas & Pacific Railroad. Before 75th anniversary in 1966, Acme became the largest maker of face brick in the United States.

In 1848, Presbyterian settlers met in log courthouse to hear sermons by the Rev. Nathaniel P. Charlot, teacher of area's first Sunday School. In 1853, circuit rider Humphrey W. Rogers and Mr. Charlot organized this church. The Rev. J.H. Zivley (1824-1905), also a circuit rider, from Austin, became first regular pastor in 1854.

Original church building, at Austin (now LBJ) and Colorado, was erected 1872. Second, at present site, was occupied on Sept. 16, 1897. Present structure, built in 1952, was dedicated on the 100th anniversary, in October 1953.

Karnes City's first edifice built for Protestant worship. Housed congregation originating in 1894 as a mission under the care of Helena Presbyterians, and organized as a church with 14 members in 1895 by The Rev. H.R. Laird, evangelist of the Western Texas Presbytery. Church building was completed in June 1901. Congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1970.

The town of Elgin was founded in 1872 along the route of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad. By 1881 a Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized by the Rev. A.J. Adkisson and 10 charter members. The congregation met in local churches and the schoolhouse until 1886 when they purchased property and built a frame church and manse. The first full-time pastor, the Rev. S.A. Comer, was called in 1908, and in 1909 a red brick and wood church building was erected. The church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1981 and remains an integral part of the community.

Oldest bank between Houston and the Louisiana border. Organized on April 9, 1889, with capital of $100,000, as First National Bank of Beaumont, it was granted National Bank Charter No. 4017.

First president was Valentine Wiess, a lumber man. Directors were W.A. Fletcher, John N. Gilbert, John L. Keith, L.P. Ogden, H. Solinsky, V. Wiess and W. Wiess. Fletcher was vice-president, J.P. Alvey, cashier. During the course of its history, other banks to merge with First National were Gulf National Bank in July 1919 and Texas National Bank in April 1932.

The First National Bank and the Security State Bank were consolidated in October 1961 as First Security National Bank, which celebrated in 1964 its diamond anniversary of service to Texans. Activities of this financial institution have been interwoven with the growth of the community from a sawmill town of 3,200 people to a center of commerce and industry. Its corporate annals reflect participation in the great Spindletop oil boom, in the opening of the Sabine-Neches Ship Channel, and in development of the rice industry.

Now the largest and oldest bank and financial institution in Golden Triangle area of Texas.

On this site in 1891, the City of Denton erected a building to be leased to President Joshua C. Chilton, for the use of the privately owned Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute, which he had opened the year before in a business building downtown. The 10-acre campus became state property in 1901. President Chilton's College thus was forerunner of North Texas State University. The old Normal building was struck by lightning and burned, 1907. This marker is dedicated on the 75th Anniversary of the beginning of the University.

Nacio en este lugar cuando se llamaba "Bahia del Espiritu Santo." En 1855, al mando de un ejercito de voluntarios Mexicanos, contribuyo a la derrota del dictador Santa Anna. Siempre fue caudillo en la defensa de su patria, el 5 de Mayo de 1862, durante la invasion de las fuerzas Francesas de Napoleon III y Maximiliano, en la Batalla de Puebla y al Mando de 4,000 soldados mal armados, derroto a 8,000 zuavos veteranos Franceses. Esta heroica victoria dio a Mexico su gran fiesta patriotica nacional "El Cinco de Mayo."

Born on this site when it was called "Bahia del Espiritu Santo." In 1855, at the head of an Army of Mexican volunteers, contributed to the defeat of dictator Santa Anna. Always a leader in the defense of his country, on May 5, 1862, during the invasion of the French forces of Napoleon III and Maximilian, in the Battle of Puebla, he led 4,000 poorly armed soldiers to defeat 8,000 veteran French zouaves. This heroic victory gave Mexico its great national patriotic anniversary, "El Cinco de Mayo."

Thanksgiving is man's response to his Creator. In an unusual early expression of interfaith good will, a rabbi, a priest, and Protestant ministers started in 1907 at Bush Temple in Dallas a community worship service of thanksgiving which continued until 1918.

The 100th anniversary of Dallas in 1941 was a service of thanksgiving and dedication in the Hall of State at Fair Park. In the war year of 1942, a Thanksgiving Day service was held at the Palace Theatre; this was repeated annually for 16 years.

To celebrate thanksgiving at all times--not just annually--a foundation purchased land in 1968 for Thanks-Giving Square, here in downtown Dallas. People on this continent have given God thanks in their own way, beginning with the Indians centuries ago. The Spanish in 1541 recorded a Thanksgiving by Fray Juan Padilla of Coronado's Expedition in Palo Duro Canyon near present Amarillo. In 1842, President Sam Houston asked the Republic of Texas to give thanks for its place among the independent nations of the earth. After statehood, governors started in 1849 to issue annual proclamations fulfilling this universal tradition so long honored in Texas.