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Baylor County | Round Timber Community | Western Trail
Uncommemorated and Unmapped Sites
Buck Barry's Indian Encounter
Baylor County
Marker Title: Baylor County
City: Seymour
County: Baylor
Year Marker Erected: 1936
Marker Location: From Seymour, take Highway 82 east about 9 miles to
junction of Highway 183 and Highway 82.
Marker Text: Created February 1, 1858; Organized April 23, 1879; named
in honor of Dr. Henry W. Baylor 1818-1854; Indian fighter and Ranger
captain; served in the Mexican War. Seymour, the County Seat.
Round Timber Community
Marker Title: Round Timber Community
City: Seymour
County: Baylor
Year Marker Erected: 1972
Marker Location: From Seymour, take SH 114 SE about 8 mi. to FM 1285
S. - follow FM 1285 to FM 2374, and follow FM 2374 South to Round Timber
Cemetery.
Marker Text: Named for round clumps of oaks. Pioneered by C.C. (Lum)
Mills, 1863, but soon abandoned to Indians, site became the first permanent
settlement in Baylor County when reopened in 1874 by T.K. Hamby, C.C. and W.B. Mills, John W. Stevens and Tom Whitworth. Post Office opened
in 1879 with A.C. Burnham as postmaster. In school built in 1879, first
teacher was Eliza Mitchell. Town had stores, barber and blacksmith shops,
1880s. The church was built by Methodists, 1879, sold to Baptists, 1933.
The burial ground, dating from 1870, was deeded 1962 by J. Hop Parker
to the cemetery association. Incise on back: Marker sponsored by Harry
and Helen Portwood. 1972.
Western Trail
Marker Title: Near Route of The Western Trail
City: Seymour
County: Baylor
Year Marker Erected: 1972
Marker Location: From Seymour, take US 82 1 mi north to Roadside Park.
Marker Text: Principal cattle trail from Texas to Kansas and beyond
from 1876 to 1887; superseded the Chisholm Trial after Dodge City replaced
Abilene as the main intermediate northern beef market. As its name implies,
the Western Trail ran west of the Chisholm Trail, by about 100 miles.
Most of its feeder trails started in South Texas, although some made
connections at San Antonio and Fort Griffin. Here in Baylor County the
trail crossed Brazos River, passing half a mile east of Seymour, a major
supply center. The herds bedded near Seymour Creek, at the site of the
present Fairgrounds. The Millett Ranch (established 1874) served as
a watering spot, and the Millett Brothers--Eugene, Alzono, and Hiram--
were among the first users of the trail. From Seymour the route continued
north, leaving Texas at Doan's Store on the Red River. It then ran through
Oklahoma to Dodge City, with lesser extensions proceeding to Nebraska,
Wyoming, and Montana. During its life, the Western Trail moved hundreds
of thousands of cattle north to stock ranges, Indian reservations, and
markets. But after the fencing of the open range and building of the
Texas & Pacific Railroad, it ceased to be used by the cattle industry.
(1972)