One of the oldest black congregations in Texas, this church grew from the slave membership of the First Baptist Church of Galveston, organized in 1840 by the Rev. James Huckins. By the early 1850s the blacks were worshiping in a separate building. In 1855 land for use by the fellowship, then known as the African Baptist Church, was purchased from Galveston City Company by First Baptist trustees Gail Borden, Jr., James Huckins, and John S. Sydnor. Following the Civil War, the property was formally deeded to the congregation, reorganized under the leadership of the Rev. I.S. Campbell as the First Regular Missionary Baptist Church. About 1903, during the pastorate of the Rev. P.A. Shelton, the present name was adopted.

Prominent pastors here have included the Rev. H.M. Williams, 1904-33, moderator of the Lincoln District Baptist Association; the Rev. G.L. Prince, 1934-56, later president of the National Baptist Convention and of Mary Allen College in Crockett, Texas; and the Rev. R.E. McKeen, 1957-78, who also served as moderator of the Lincoln District Association.

Since the 1840s, members of the Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church have played a significant role in the religious and civic development of Galveston.

Named for Crockett Mayors: Dr. S.T. Beasley (1840-1916), John Gordon Beasley (1888-1959), and Jack Gordon Beasley (1916-1967). In office 1897 to 1901, Dr. Beasley led in creation of Crockett Independent School District, put gas lights on court square. His son "Big Jack" (Mayor 1936-40, in Texas Centennial era) saw creation of David Crockett Park and Memorial Building as fulfillment of dreams. Following lead of grandfather and father, Jack Gordon Beasley (Mayor, 1954-60) led in expansion of lighting and other physical improvements. Besides their Mayor programs, each achieved other civic goals.

This site was originally part of a Republic of Texas land grant to Andrew Edwards Gossett, a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto. Around the turn of the century it became part of a real estate development which opened a new Crockett residential area. Charles Harrison Beazley (1850-1929) purchased this property in 1912 and erected this cottage with elaborate victorian trim. He used wood from his farm and had it cut at the family sawmill. He and his wife Margaret Elizabeth "Bettie" (Lively) (1863-1960) and two sons moved into town so the boys could be near better schools.

This congregation began worshiping together in 1865 under a brush arbor on property owned by its founding pastor, the Rev. Phillip Burrell. In 1877, Phillip and Jane Burrell deeded one acre of their land at this site to the trustees of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. After additional land was purchased, the congregation constructed a permanent house of worship here in 1894, under the leadership of the Rev. Martin Reece (1859-1942), who served the church as pastor for 59 years.

During the pastorate of the Rev. W.D. Dowe (1893-1957), a new brick church was built in 1952 to house the growing congregation. Growth continued under the leadership of the Rev. J.H. Holland (1901-1969) from 1958 to 1961 and the Rev. T.H. Foster (1914-1975) from 1962 to 1968. The congregation expanded its ministries in the latter half of the 20th century to include community service, education, Sunday morning television broadcasts and outreach over the Internet. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church has sponsored a number of its members for the ordained ministry. The congregation added a fellowship hall and education building in 1992. Members of this church have included Crockett civic leaders, educators and public officials. A significant part of the community's social and religious history, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church retains the ideals and traditions of its founders while looking to the future for growth and expansion.

Commissioners Courts in Texas usually furnished to soldiers enlisting in the Civil War their uniforms, guns, blankets -- and sometimes even their horses. The County Courts also aided dependents, war orphans and widows. Further, they recognized local people who had "soldiers' homes," and reimbursed them for meals given men en route to and from the army on furloughs and special missions. Freestone County had at least 11 soldiers' homes. Near this site, one of 2 in Butler was run by Hillary Manning, a plantation owner. A soldiers' home usually was set up as an act of neighborliness. The Rev. Thomas Castleton, who lived near Houston, organized many homes. Also he commended the people of Butler, Fairfield, Goliad and Hillsboro for setting up soldiers' homes of their own accord. At Christmas in 1864, Rev. Castleton received for the benefit of the soldiers donations of 4100 in gold, 3 beef animals and 2 milk cows, gifts of private citizens supporting the work. He also was given a 3-story brick hotel to be used as a soldiers' home. Other soldiers' homes were at Columbus, Crockett, Palestine and Richmond (Fort Bend County) like many other productive activities carried on voluntarily. These homes showed the concern of Texas for her men.

Named for World War I Army Colonel Elmer J. Wallace, Camp Wallace was established as a training facility for military personnel during World War II. The U.S. Government acquired more than 3,300 acres of land between the towns of Hitchcock and Alta Loma on State Highway 6 for placement of the facility.

Construction began in November 1940. Before the erection of structures, 17 miles of access roads were built, 29 miles of electrical lines were installed, and a 2.9-mile spur rail track from the main rail line were laid. The site contained a total of 399 structures. Some buildings were constructed at Galveston's Fort Crockett and transported to the site, including a cold storage depot, bakery, laundry, and morgue. The camp contained a medical facility, 161 barracks, and a service club.

By May 1941 the camp accommodated 10,250 people, including officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian staff. Training continued through World War II. The site also housed German prisoners of war. In April 1945, Camp Wallace was transferred to Naval supervision, and later served as a distribution center releasing veterans back into civilian life. The site was used by the Red Cross in 1947 following the explosions at Texas City. The camp was declared surplus by the U.S. Government in 1947.

Henry Stout came to Texas in 1818 from Tennessee. Reported to have helped David Crockett plan his route to the Alamo, he served in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836, and from 1839 to 1845 was Captain of a Texas Ranger company. He moved here in 1847 and operated a grist mill and freight hauling business. He served on the commission to create Wood County in 1850, and was the first sheriff. He represented Van Zandt and Wood counties in the State Legislature in 1855-56, and was a Confederate officer during the Civil War. He is buried in a family cemetery adjacent to this site.

Near this site the Cherokee Indians blazed an early Texas trail. They wanted a road from their settlements near Nacogdoches to their home reservation on the White River in Arkansas. About 1821 they selected a man known for his uncanny sense of direction. Mounting a horse and dragging buffalo skins behind him, he set a northward course. A group of Indians followed, blazing the trees to mark the trail. Another group cleared away the heavy underbrush and trees. A third group established camping grounds by springs and planted Cherokee roses which still mark the route today. Sam Houston, friend of the Cherokee, traveled it on his first Texas visit. David Crockett and other Texas Revolution fighters as well as thousands of settlers from northeastern United States first saw Texas from the road, many establishing homes nearby. The Cherokee remained peaceful as long as friend Sam Houston was President of the Republic. In June 1839 they were ordered from Texas because of raids and intrigues with Mexican agents. A two-day battle ensued on the Neches River where their Chief was killed. The tribe retreated, fighting, leaving Texas by the famous trail they made.

In 1821 near this site, Cherokee Indians blazed a trail from near Nacogdoches, Texas, to their home reservation at White River, Ark. They slashed trees, cleared path, planted "Cherokee" roses, and established camps at springs.

Used by Sam Houston, friend of the Cherokees, on his move to Texas; by David Crockett, other soldiers of the Texas Revolution, and thousands of immigrants. After June 1839, when Texas settlers drove the Cherokees out of the state, the Indians departed over this trail; others traveled it for years thereafter.

Mayor of Crockett, 1859. In Civil War (1861-65) led Co. I, 4th Texas Calvary. Member Constitutional Convention of 1875.