Gray County, TXGenWeb

Historical Markers

Some of the historical markers located in our county. Do you have photographs?

Alanreed Cemetery

14090 Spur 291, Alanreed
This public cemetery includes more than ten acres on a rise overlooking the community. The site became an important supply point with expansion of the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad. On April 24, 1902, Robert Mangum moved the post office from Eldridge (4 mi. N), renaming it for railroad trustee Alan H. Reed (1851-1906) of Philadelphia. The oldest marked grave is for Nancy Louisa Baker (1841-1899). Most older burials are in the west section. Prominent features include family plot fences and curbing, and granite, marble and woodmen of the world grave markers. In 1918, the Alanreed Townsite Co. deeded the site as a community cemetery. With many veterans and prominent leaders buried here, it continues to be a beloved record of area heritage. (2017)

Big Springs

RR 2375
Native Americans and military forces have long camped at nearby springs that served as an oasis in the surrounding area. In 1852, U.S. Capt. Randolph B. Marcy led an expedition in search of the Red River headwaters, and his party camped here on June 16. Records of later military engagements and expeditions involving Col. Ranald S. MacKenzie, Gen. Nelson Miles and others also noted the springs. Archeological investigations have confirmed an 1874 battle between U.S. troops under Lt. Frank Baldwin and the forces of Cheyenne chief Grey Beard occurred in the general vicinity. Nearby development has dramatically decreased the flow of the historic Big Springs over the years. (2006)

Fairview Cemetery

1500 N. Duncan St, Pampa
HTC (Historical Texas Cemetery) marker
Fairview Cemetery Established 1904 Historic Texas Cemetery - 2004

George B. McClellan

Lake McClelland Campground, NW shore of Lake McClelland, 0.2 mi. SE of RR 2477
West Point graduate George B. McClellan (1826-1885) was a U.S. Army engineer and a member of an expedition led by Randolph B. Marcy that explored the Texas Panhandle in 1852. McClellan Creek was named for him, and nearly a century later Lake McClellan was named in his honor. He was vice president and chief engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad and served as a Union general during the Civil War. He designed the McClellan saddle used by the U.S. Army. He ran for president in 1864 against Abraham Lincoln and served as governor of New Jersey from 1878-1881. (1996)

Woody Guthrie

320 S. Cuyler St, Pampa
Guthrie briefly attended Pampa High School and, from 1930 until 1935, worked as a soda jerk at this site, home of the former Harris Drug Store. He also spent much time reading books in the Pampa city library, preparing him for his most productive years as a poet-lyricist and folk balladeer during the 1940s and early 1950s. He left Pampa for California in 1937 and in 1940 went to New York City, where he was recognized for his writings and performances. He died there in 1967. (2002)