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Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Texas Forts Trail Region

Map of Irion County Historic Sites

Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section).
Site of Coughlin's Stage Stand | Dove Creek Battle | Dove Creek Battlefield | Irion County | Irion County Museum | Texas Civil War Indian Trouble
Uncommemorated and Unmapped Sites
Dove Creek Fight

Site of Coughlin's Stage Stand

Marker Title: Site of Coughlin's Stage Stand
City: Mertzon vicinity
County: Irion
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: from Mertzon take FM 2469 W about 22 mi. to FM 163, go N about 10.5 mi. to private ranch road - Marker is on ranch on private property.
Marker Text: On the southern overland route, St. Louis to San Francisco, 1858-1861. Later known as Camp Charlotte.

Dove Creek Battle

Marker Title: Dove Creek Battle
City: Mertzon
County: Irion
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Location: Courthouse lawn, corner of Sherwood and Parkview
Marker Text: On January 8, 1865 eight miles east of here Confederate troops and Texas militiamen engaged a large party of Kickapoo Indians. The Indians, formerly hostile to the South, had entered Texas without authority and were making their way to Mexico. Troops attacked them and following five hours of desperate fighting, withdrew, having suffered the loss of 22 killed and 19 wounded. Indian losses from the encounter were probably less. Later raids by the Kickapoos were traced to the Dove Creek fight. Erected by the State of Texas 1963

Dove Creek Battlefield

Marker Title: Dove Creek Battlefield
City: Mertzon vicinity
County: Irion
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: private property on the Dove Creek Ranch, 8 mi. SE of Mertzon via FM 915 and CR 113.
Marker Text: Around this mountain a battle was fought on January 8, 1865 between 2000 Indians and Texas Rangers and State Troops commanded by Captains John Fossett and S.S. Totten. Four officers and 22 of their men lie in unmarked graves nearby.

Irion County

Marker Title: Irion County
City: Mertzon
County: Irion
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: on US 67,2 mi. N of Mertzon
Marker Text: Created March 7,1889 Organized April 16,1889 Named in honor of Robert Anderson Irion, 1806-1860. Came to Texas in 1833 and located at Nacogdoches. Member of the first Texas Congress. Secretary of State in the cabinet of President Houston, 1837-1838. Sherwood, the county seat.

Irion County Museum

Museum Name: Irion County Museum
Mailing Address: 301 Horseshoe Bend Trail
City: Mertzon
Zip Code: 76941
Street Address: Fayette and 1st Streets
Area Code: 915
Phone: 835-4583
County: Irion
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Historical, Local/Pioneer History

Texas Civil War Indian Trouble

Marker Title: Texas Civil War Indian Trouble
City: Mertzon
County: Irion
Year Marker Erected: 1963
Marker Location: Courthouse lawn, corner of Sherwood and Parkview
Marker Text: War brought turmoil to Indians living in Kansas and the Indian Territory, with unfortunate results for Texans on the frontier. Most Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks and Seminoles aided the South, while others adhered to the North. Few Comanches made a treaty with the South; but a great majority with their allies, the Kiowas, held aloof from either side and plundered the frontier at will. Apaches and Kickapoos did the same from Mexico. Texas and Confederate troops, despite poor arms and mounts, held defense lines until war's end. (1963)

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