Historical Markers

Marker Number:

3340

Marker Title:

Mentone Community Church

Index Entry:

Mentone Community Church

Address:

City:

Mentone

County:

Loving

UTM Zone:

13

UTM Easting:

632564

UTM Northing:

3508931

Subject Codes:

CH

Year Marker Erected:

1964

Designations:

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark

Marker Location:

on Church, 3 blocks N. of Courthouse Mentone

Marker Size:

Medallion and Plate

Repairs Completed:

N/A

Marker Text:

Built 1910 in Porterville, a town abandoned after Pecos River flood of 1930. Moved here for school and social center. Also used by various church groups and for non-denominational worship. Oldest building in Loving County. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964.

Marker Number:

3338

Marker Title:

Mentone

Index Entry:

Mentone

Address:

City:

County:

Loving

UTM Zone:

13

UTM Easting:

632196

UTM Northing:

3509013

Subject Codes:

CY;

Year Marker Erected:

1967

Designations:

na

Marker Location:

SH 302, at Courthouse, Mentone

Marker Size:

18: x 28" Subject

Repairs Completed:

Redo

Marker Text:

Only town in Loving County Last Organized, most sparsely populated (both in total and per square mile) county in Texas. Established 1931 and named for an earlier town (10 miles north) which legend says was manned by a French surveyor-prospector after his home on the Riviera. With population of 42, Mentone has no water system. (Water is Hauled in.) Nor does it have a bank, doctor, hospital, newspaper, lawyer, civic club, or cemetery. There are only two recorded graves in county; some Indian skeletons, artifacts are found. Oil farming, cattle county.

ID:

322

County:

Loving

City:

Mentone

Current Use:

Active Courthouse

Owner:

County

Service Dates:

Construction Date:

1936

Marker Number:

3142

Marker Title:

Loving County

Index Entry:

Loving County

Address:

City:

Mentone

County:

Loving

UTM Zone:

13

UTM Easting:

632196

UTM Northing:

3509013

Subject Codes:

CO

Year Marker Erected:

1936

Designations:

na

Marker Location:

SH 302, Mentone at Courthouse

Marker Size:

Centennial - grey granit

Repairs Completed:

N/A

Marker Text:

Formed from Tom Green County, created February 26, 1887. Organized July 8, 1893, named in honor of Oliver Loving, 1812-1867, farmer, rancher and an early trail driver. Mentone, the county seat.

Marker Number:

3851

Marker Title:

Oliver Loving, C.S.A.

Index Entry:

Loving, Oliver, C. S. A.

Address:

City:

Mentone

County:

Loving

UTM Zone:

13

UTM Easting:

632196

UTM Northing:

3509013

Subject Codes:

CA; CW

Year Marker Erected:

1965

Designations:

na

Marker Location:

Courthouse, SH 302, Mentone

Marker Size:

27" x 42" Subject

Repairs Completed:

Faded; Redo

Marker Text:

Only Texan instrumental in mapping 3 major cattle trails: Shawnee, Western and Goodnight-Loving trails. Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas 1845, to farm, haul freight, deal in cattle. Started large Palo Pinto County ranch. In 1858, drove herd to Chicago-- first time in history Texas cattle trailed to northern market. In 1859 drove to Denver. When Civil War broke out, 1861, was Confederate beef contractor, furnishing meat to army commissaries. Served on 24-hour patrol squad against Indians in frontier town of Weatherford. Mapped an 1862 expedition by 300 or more Texans to wipe out depredating Indians on the home grounds in Colorado, but failed to get necessary men to put this plan into action. After the war, with Charles Goodnight, drove cattle from Palo Pinto to Horsehead Crossing on the Pecos, then up the river to Indian reservations and forts in New Mexico. In 1867 on this trail, was shot by Comanches: crawled 5 miles, chewing an old kid glove for food. Hauled at price of $250 to Fort Sumner by Mexican traders, he had wounds treated, but died of gangrene. Partner packed corpse in charcoal, hauled him to Weatherford for burial, fulfilling last wish. Loving county was named for him in 1887.

Marker Number:

9460

Marker Title:

Route of Old Butterfield Stagecoach Road

Index Entry:

Butterfield Stagecoach Road, Route of Old

Address:

City:

Mentone

County:

Loving

UTM Zone:

13

UTM Easting:

632315

UTM Northing:

3508174

Subject Codes:

RD; SG

Year Marker Erected:

1968

Designations:

na

Marker Location:

from Mentone, take SH 302 west .05 mi.

Marker Size:

27" x 42"

Repairs Completed:

Faded; Refinish

Marker Text:

Over these tracks passed the Butterfield Stage, 1858-1861, providing for first time in history a combined passenger and mail service from Atlantic to Pacific coast. Operating westward from St. Louis and Memphis, John Butterfield's company used 1,350 mules and horses and 90 Concord coaches and wagons. Stages traveled rapidly, despite lack of real roads. A signal given approaching a station would assure food on table for travelers, and fresh horses ready. Stations were 12 to 113 miles apart. Route changes were often made to obtain water. The passengers and crew wore guns. Indians liked horses, so to reduce the danger of Indian attacks, mules were used west of Ft. Belknap. Trip one way took 25 days-- 7 consumed in crossing texas, from near Preston (now under Lake Texoma) to Jacksboro, Ft. Belknap, Ft. Chadbourne, and El Paso. One-way fare for the 2,700 miles was $200. This marks a 113-mile span, from Emigrants' Crossing (82 mi. S) to Pope's Crossing (31 mi. N), that on inaugural trip, Sept. 16 - Oct. 12, 1858, had no team-change. Route ran parallel to Pecos River. By November there were 3 change stations in this area, one being Skillman's Stop (6 mi. N). Route was shortened in 1860, going by forts Stockson, Davis and Quitman, west of the Pecos. Incise on base: Park site donated by Mr. and Mrs. N. F. Chapman, Pecos, Texas

Marker Number:

2227

Marker Title:

Goodnight-Loving Trail

Index Entry:

Goodnight-Loving Trail

Address:

City:

Mentone

County:

Loving

UTM Zone:

13

UTM Easting:

632315

UTM Northing:

3508174

Subject Codes:

CA; RD

Year Marker Erected:

1936

Designations:

na

Marker Location:

From Mentone, take SH 302 West .5 mile

Marker Size:

Pink Hwy. Marker

Repairs Completed:

Replace stolen part

Marker Text:

Blazed from the Fort Griffin-Dodge City Trail, through New Mexico to Colorado about 1860 by Oliver Loving 1812-1867, first cattle trail driver from Texas.

Marker Number:

3142

Marker Title:

Loving County

Index Entry:

Loving County

Address:

City:

Mentone

County:

Loving

UTM Zone:

13

UTM Easting:

632196

UTM Northing:

3509013

Subject Codes:

CO

Year Marker Erected:

1936

Designations:

na

Marker Location:

SH 302, Mentone at Courthouse

Marker Size:

Centennial - grey granit

Repairs Completed:

N/A

Marker Text:

Formed from Tom Green County, created February 26, 1887. Organized July 8, 1893, named in honor of Oliver Loving, 1812-1867, farmer, rancher and an early trail driver. Mentone, the county seat.