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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.

Part of our in-depth series exploring Texas Forest Trail Region Forts

Map of Panola County

Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section).
Anderson, Jonathan | DeBerry | Panola County Heritage Museum | Old Panola County Jail | 1891 Panola County Jail | Reeves, Jim | Tex Ritter Museum | Walter Prescott Webb
Museums
Jonathan Anderson

Marker Title: Jonathan Anderson
City: Carthage
County: Panola
Year Marker Erected: 1980
Marker Location: Anderson Park, Town Square, US Bus. 59 at Bus. US 79.
Marker Text: Kentucky native Jonathan "Old Shelby" Anderson, a grandson of American Revolution veteran Bailey Anderson, settled in this area when Texas was part of Mexico. He served in the Texas Revolution and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1848 he donated 100 acres here for the formation of Carthage, the new seat of government for Panola County, which was organized two years earlier from Shelby County. He later served as sheriff and tax assessor-collector. This park, the site of the former Carthage courthouse square, was named for Anderson in 1956.

DeBerry

Marker Title: DeBerry
City: DeBerry
County: Panola
Year Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Location: on FM 31, just north of US 79 in DeBerry
Marker Text: Site of 1850 sawmill and grist mill. Settled mostly by cotton planters. Center for markets and gins. Oil development after 1900. Named for Col. Alfred W. DeBerry (1829-1903), 28th Texas cavalry, dismounted, Confederate army. In 1863-65 legislature, helped pass laws to give confederacy men, revenue and supplies, support soldiers' families and defend Texas frontiers. In 1874-76 was Secretary of State under Gov. Richard Coke, who put Texas government into the hands of the people after nine years of federal rule. (1965)

Panola County Heritage Museum

Museum Name: Panola County Heritage Museum
Street Address: 100 E. Sabine
City: Carthage
Zip Code: 75633
Area Code: 903
Phone: 693-8689
County: Panola
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Military, Historical, Local/Pioneer History

Old Panola County Jail

Marker Title: Old Panola County Jail
Address: 213 N. Shelby
City: Carthage
County: Panola
Year Marker Erected: 1967
Marker Location: 213 N. Shelby, Carthage
Marker Text: Designed by J. N. Carnes and completed in 1891, this structure served as the Panola County Jail for sixty-two years. The two-story brick building exhibits Italianate and Romanesque style influences and features a symmetrical facade with projecting tower, arched openings, and corbelled detailing. It was used as a city jail from 1953 to 1965. A restoration project begun in 1988 converted it to a community museum and historical center. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967

1891 Panola County Jail

Museum Name: 1891 Panola County Jail
Street Address: 213 N. Shelby
City: Carthage
Zip Code: 75633
Area Code: 903
Phone: 693-9928
County: Panola
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Art, Military, Aviation, Photos, Historical, Local/Pioneer History, Other

Jim Reeves

Marker Title: Jim Reeves
City: Carthage
County: Panola
Year Marker Erected: 1996
Marker Location: Jim Reeves Memorial Park, US 79, 3 mi. E of Carthage
Marker Text: (August 30, 1924 - July 31, 1964) Born in Galloway, James Travis Reeves played professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league team until an injury forced him to abandon that career. He became a radio disc jockey and formed a country western band. Joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1955, he became a world famous singer. Known fondly as "Gentleman Jim," Reeves was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967, three years after he died in a plane crash. (1996)

Tex Ritter Museum

Museum Name: Tex Ritter Museum
Street Address: 300 W. Panola
City: Carthage
Zip Code: 75633
Area Code: 903
Phone: 693-6634
County: Panola
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Photos, Local/Pioneer History, Archives, Other

Walter Prescott Webb

Marker Title: Walter Prescott Webb
City: Carthage
County: Panola
Year Marker Erected: 1977
Marker Location: FM 1971 at public boat ramp, south end of Lake Murvaul Bridge, 16 mi. SW of Carthage.
Marker Text: (April 3, 1888 - March 8, 1963) The world-renowned American historian Walter Prescott Webb was born near this site. His parents were Casner P. and Mary Elizabeth (Kyle) Webb. C.P. Webb farmed and taught school. The family moved in 1893 to the edge of central West Texas. There a startling new terrain spurred young Walter to study the influence of the frontier on American history. Alternately studying and teaching, Walter Webb earned his B.A. Degree in 1915, his M.A. in 1920, and his Ph.D. in 1932, all at the University of Texas. In 1918 he joined the history faculty of the University in Austin, where he taught for 45 years. Visiting lectureships in the U.S. and abroad included a term as Harmsworth professor at Oxford University in England. An inspiring teacher, he molded a generation of historians and scholarly writers. "The Great Plains," "The Texas Rangers," "Divided We Stand," "The Great Frontier," and his other books are works of splendid vision. Recipient of many honors and offices, he was the first southwesterner to serve as president of the American Historical Association. He married (1) Jane Oliphant, by whom he had one daughter, Mildred (Mrs. W.B. Bugg), and (2) Mrs. Terrell Maverick. He is buried in the Texas State Cemetery.

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