Exterior Photograph of the Entrance to the Captain Albion E. Shepard House in Marathon, TX. A Texas Historical Commision Marker reads: In 1883, completion occurred of the extension of tracks by the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway (G.H. & S.A. Ry.) Line located between El Paso and San Antonio. Retired sea captain Albion E. Shepard arrived in the region as a railroad surveyor. He acquired much land in the area, including Section 18, Block 4 of the G.H. & S.A. Railway survey. Tradition documents the naming of Marathon to Captain Shepard’s observations of the similarity of the valley and its encircling hills to Marathon, Greece, where the mountains meet the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. At this site, Captain Shepard applied for a post office in September 1882 where he became the first postmaster. He deeded Section 18 to his son Ben Shepard for the creation of the Marathon townsite on December 6, 1885 on an existing siding of the railroad. Captain Shepard established “Iron Mountain Ranch” on 58 sections of ranchland bought from F. W. Folts on March 10, 1882, located in the Glass Mountains along the north line of the Marathon Basin. The ranch was stocked with as many as 25,000 sheep, managed by herders with no fences. Prior to 1887, Shepard built a large two-story adobe home facing Marathon’s public square located at North Avenue “D” and North Second Street. The square plan Colonial Revival home contains four large rooms on each floor and features a hipped roof and full-length double gallery with square porch supports. An original carriage house is also part of the historic homestead. Adobe blocks were made locally, while lumber and furnishings were delivered by rail. The house was later acquired by the Hess family, owners of a mercantile and hardware store …
Southwest facing photograph of the remains of one of the Enlisted Men's Barracks in Fort Davis National Historic Site. The park's visitor center, Officer's Row, and Sleeping Lion Mountain can be seen in the background.
Panoramic Image of the Parade Grounds at Fort Davis National Historic Site. Pictured from right to left: Sleeping Lion's Mountain, Officers' row, flag pole, and the Enlisted Men's Barracks. In the far distance can be seen the North Ridge, Two-Story Officers Quarters, and the Post Chapel.
Wagon located next to the Commissary Storehouse in Fort Davis National Historic Site, Texas. The North Ridge of the Davis Mountains, remains of the bakery, and one of the two-story Officer's Quarters can be seen in the background.
Photograph of historical marker entitled: "Battle of Palmito Ranch." Text reads: "The last land engagement of the Civil War was fought near this site on May 12-13, 1865, thirty-four days after Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Col. Theodore H. Barrett commanded Federal troops on Brazos Island 12 miles to the east. The Confederates occupied Fort Brown 12 miles to the west, commanded by Gen. James E. Slaughter and Col. John S. (Rip) Ford, whose troops had captured Fort Brown from the Federals in 1864. Ordered to recapture the fort, Lt. Col. David Branson and 300 men advanced from Brazos Island. They won a skirmish with Confederate pickets on May 12. Barrett reinforced Branson's troops with 200 men on May 13 and renewed the march to Fort Brown. Confederate cavalry held the Federals in check until Ford arrived with reinforcements that afternoon. Ford's artillery advanced and fired on the northern end of the Federal line while the cavalry charged. The Confederate right charged the southern end of the Federal line and captured part of the Union infantry. Barrett ordered a retreat toward the U.S. position on Brazos Island. While the Confederates reported no fatalities in the Battle of Palmito Ranch, the Union forces reported four officers and 111 men killed, wounded or missing." Dated: 1966, 1990.
Photograph of a historical marker commemorating the last battle of the Civil War. The text reads: "At This Site -- The Last Battle of the Civil War, Known as Palmito Hill, was Fought by Confederate Troops Under Colonel John S. (Rip) Ford and Union Forces on May 13, 1865, 34 Days After Lee's Surrender at Appomatox -- Erected by the State of Texas -- 1936"
Photograph of Historical Marker entitled: "Site of Camp Belknap." Text reads: "In May 1846 when war was declared against Mexico, the U.S. Congress authorized the raising of 50,000 volunteer troops to supplement the regular U.S. Army. General Zachary Taylor was quickly inundated with volunteer soldiers arriving at Brazos Santiago, and was forced to place them in temporary encampments. Camp Belknap, located on this site, was established in the summer of 1846. The camp was located on a long narrow rise of land, measuring about 2 miles in length and one-half mile at its widest point. It was the first high ground encountered after leaving the Gulf Coast. Thought to be the largest encampment for volunteer soldiers, troop estimates total 7,000-8,000 men including several regiments from eight states. Soldiers suffered exposure to the elements, unsanitary living conditions, overcrowding, biting insects, thorny plants, and disease. Many died a premature death, often resulting in one two two funerals daily. No enemy attacks took place despite one false alarm. During August and September most of the volunteers were moved upriver either to camps nearer Matamoros, or further to Camargo. The camp was completely empty by December 1846." Marker is dated 1996 in the lower-right corner.
Southward facing photograph of adobe structure with metal roof housing the Marathon Historical Museum. An affixed Texas State Historical Survey Committee marker reads: "FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE Oldest school building in Brewster County. Built in 1888. Used for all public meetings and all elections. Restored in 1928 by Ladies of Marathon Study Club. Is known as the Club House. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965."
Southward facing photograph of the 1923 Point Isabel Coast Guard Building located on South Padre Island. A small historical marker on the opposite side reads: "The Federal Government has operated a coastal installation at Point Isabel since 1852. This structure is the third permanent building erected here, one of a line of nine stations established along the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to the Texas-Mexico border. Originally consisting of a main floor, attic, and lookout tower, all elevated off the ground on wood and concrete pilings, the structure served as barracks and headquarters for the U.S. Coast Guard unit that patrolled the coastline and conducted sea rescues. (1988)"
Photograph of an abandoned cinderblock building located on U.S. 90 approx. half-way between Alpine and Marathon, TX. Building is affixed with Target wordmark and logo. A single red shopping cart sits outside. Smith Peak is visible in the background.
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