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| Clarksville, Texas Post Office - Author's Picture |
The U.S. Post Office in Clarksville, Texas. Clarksville is the county seat of Red River County, Texas. The building dates from 1914. I have early memories of visiting this post office with my mom, when I was little. The building has an entry ramp for wheelchairs and persons with disabilities. I remember walking up and down those ramps. It was great fun, but the stairs were fun too. Later, I moved to Henderson, Texas.
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| William Becknell - Author's Picture |
The text reads:
I believe that the captain's stone, as well as that of his wife (below), is oriented to the southwest rather than the typical west-east.
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| Mary Becknell - Author's Picture |
Mrs. Becknell passed in 1864. This is obviously a newer headstone.
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| Stone Marker - Author's Picture |
I saw perhaps a dozen of such markers. They're stone. There is no readable text on them.
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| Bench - Author's Picture |
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| Turnbole Marker - Author's Picture |
The grave marks the burial of a member of the Turnbole family. I couldn't read the first name. The date of birth/death is 1861-1864, so this a young one.
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| Burial Marker - Author's Picture |
I couldn't read much on this stone, either. The date of death is 1833.
Atlas Obscura also has an article about this cemetery.
Edit: I forgot to mention that the cemetery is in a cattle pasture. It is fenced off, though. On my way up the path, I scared two cows, which quickly ran away.
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| William Becknell Robbinsville Cemetery - Author's Picture |
"This historic cemetery is also known as Robbinsville Cemetery after the community that once thrived in this area. Names for John Robbins, an early settler, Robbinsville served as a gathering place for area farmers. The cemetery became known as Becknell cemetery when Mary Becknell, wife of William Becknell, deeded the land to the Methodist Episcopal church as a burial ground on Dec. 20, 1861. Burials include William Becknell (1788-1856), "Father of the Santa Fe Trail," and three other burials of pioneer families, including McGuire and Turnbole. It is believed there are a number of unmarked graves. The cemetery is the last remaining vestige of a community of pioneer residents."
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| Pathway to the Cemetery |
I wore Crocs during my visit. I don't recommend it, as the gravel pathway is tough on the feet. Wear some good shoes.
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| Cemetery Gate - Author's Picture |
This picture shows the gate and the (above) historical marker.
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| General View of the Grounds - Author's Picture |
A view of the cemetery. It's not a very big area.
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| Detail of the Cemetery Fence - Author's Picture |
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| William Becknell Robbinsville Cemetery - Author's Picture |
The William Becknell Robbinsville Cemetery is a historic cemetery located on US Highway 82, between the towns of Clarksville, Texas, and Detroit, Texas. I had been wanting to visit this cemetery for quite some time. I once knew a more than elderly florist who grew up in this part of the country. She recalled seeing the cemetery when her father, in his wagon, would bring the family to town. The text reads:
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| Panorama |
It's not obvious in the following pictures, but this is the best that's possible at this time of year. The little copse of trees is growing on a Caddo Indian mound. The rest of the land is flat and clear. I should've taken better pictures to show that, but I did get one (above).
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| Caddo Mound |
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| Caddo Mound |
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| Caddo Mound |
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| Caddo Mound |
The mound has been described as the foundation of a "dwelling." Once upon a time, the new owner of the land surrounding it mistakenly believed that he owned this land. The company was preparing to bulldoze (flatten) the mound, but they were stopped by a "society" that manages the historic site. To my knowledge, it has no official name. I walked to the top of the mound one time, many years ago, and I saw that someone had dug into it. I don't know what was or was not discovered there. In general, I've found that people do not respect such structures or what might be buried within. One day, I will try to get better pictures, maybe in the winter when nothing is blooming. I didn't go to the top this time, as I have no desire to trespass or possibly get bitten by a snake.
Jane Chandler Gill memorial and gravestone.
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| Jane Chandler Gill Memorial |
The picture below was taken in May of 2025. The stone itself is becoming unreadable because of the growth and, at the time the picture was taken, the lighting. The stone needs to be cleaned badly. Much of the text can be read here.
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| Jane Chandler Gill Gravestone |
Jane Chandler Gill was from England, and she was one of the first Anglo settlers to be buried in Texas. It is my understanding that this gravestone was discovered in a field in or near the old town of Jonesboro, Texas. The town hasn't existed in decades.
"Consort of Wm. H. Gill, age 31 years 8 months 20 days, [birth date calculated] From ABSTRACTS OF EARLY EAST TEXAS NEWSPAPERS 1839-1856 -- THE NORTHERN STANDARD, Clarksville, Texas: 26 Sep 1846 -- Died at Jonesboro, Red River County on the 20th inst., Mrs. Jane Chandler Gill, consort of Wm. H. Gill, in the 30th year of her age. CLARKSVILLE TIMES 2 Jul 1981 has the following from the memorial 'When Sorrow Weeps O'er Virtues Sacred Dust, Our Tears Become Us And Our Grief Is Just, Such Were The Tears He Shed Who Grateful Pat His Last Sad Tribute Of His Love And Praise'. Her epitaph is inscribed THIS SMALL MONUMENT IS ERECTED IN AFFECTION BY THE HUSBAND and I SHALL GO TO HER, BUT SHE SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME."
Text source: Findagrave.com
Tuggle Springs Cemetery, according to some, is in Clarksville, Texas. According to others, it's located in Bagwell, Texas. Whatever the case, it's located a long way from either Clarksville or Bagwell, though I do think it has a Bagwell zip code. The cemetery is quiet and peaceful. We visited on Mother's Day in 2025.
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| Tuggle Springs Cemetery Historical Marker |
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| Tuggle Springs Cemetery Historical Marker |
"This burial ground was established by Andrew Jackson Tuggle (1815-1877), a farmer who moved here from Tennessee c. 1850 with his wife Elizabeth (1819-1895). When a mother and infant died in 1864, Tuggle set aside property for use as a cemetery and for a church and school. As settlers came to the area, they began to use the burial ground, which is named for Tuggle and for nearby natural springs. Besides early settlers, others buried here include veterans of conflicts dating to the Civil War. Today, the Tuggle Springs Cemetery Association, organized in 1960, continues to care for the burial ground, which features Woodmen of the World markers, grave slabs, and vertical stones."
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| American Flag Fluttering in the Breeze |
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| Cemetery Pavillion in Background |
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| One of the Largest Cedar Trees that I have ever seen. |
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| Ezekiel Airship - Atlas Obscura |
The Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Depot and Museumvis located in Pittsburg, Texas which is also known as the homeplace of "Pilgrim's Pride" and delicious Pittsburg Hot Links. The airship at the museum is not the original (which was destroyed). The original airship, created by the Reverend Burrell Cannon, supposedly flew a short distance one year before the flight of the Wright Brothers. The ship was based on the Book of Ezekiel, in which the priest Ezekiel describes a vision of wheels. The text is Ezekiel 1:1-48:22.
The airship has been described as steampunk meeting the Bible. While it may be as impressive as the airships in the Final Fantasy games, at least it's not fiction. Whether or not it actually flew has been debated.
Image Source: Atlas Obsura.
See also an article on Roadside America.
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| Obsidian Bolo Tie - Author's Picture |
Bolo ties are just fringe western wear? The bolo tie has been the official state tie of Arizona since 1971. It became the state tie of New Mexico in 2007, and also in Texas when Governor Rick Perry signed House Concurrent Resolution No. 12 (June 15, 2007). Bolo ties are formal wear, folks. I bought my tie from The Old West Gallery.
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| Model of The Heroine - Source: ATM Nautical Archaeology Program |
Steamboats Claimed By The Red River
We may be sure that, in every place where men have dwelled, there is evidence of their presence. Whether it exists on the surface or below the ground, the evidence is there. It could take the form of a trash heap, a pile of bones, or a circle of stones. It might be something typical, such as an indigenous burial ground. Again, it can be unusual: it could be a vehicle or even an entire city. Whatever it may be, it is there.
Sir Austen Layard (who wrote one of my favorite books) brought the ancient city of Nineveh out of obscurity and into the light - literally. The mighty capital of the Assyrian Empire had been buried beneath the earth and lost, so much so that in the days of ancient Greece it was already unknown. Mr. Layard was the archaeologist who rediscovered and excavated that fabled city, bringing it to the surface one spade full at a time.
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| Battleship Texas - AI-Generated Image |
It's an AI-generated image, so it's free for anyone to use. The Texas, a dreadnought, has had quite of bit of work performed on it, especially in 2024.
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| Author's Collection |
Advertisement From Farm and Ranch Magazine, 1923.
Dallas, Texas; June 2, 1923.
Kellogs Corn Flakes Advertisement "Come on and sit down. Kellog's are all ready to eat." Page 28. (.JPG image; 414x772; 140 KB).
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| Pittsburg Hot Link Restaurant - Image Credit Below Text |
If you ever make it to East Texas, stop at the Pittsburg Hot Link Restaurant. If nothing else, go into a local grocery store and see if they're available. Take some home with you. The company makes some of the best hot links I've ever had. Check out their website for other information and (spoilers) you may get hungry.
Here's the obligatory home page:
Here's the menu:
Menu 1 — Pittsburg Hot Link Restaurant
Image Credit: Pittsburg Hot Links
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| USS Texas - Source: Meta |
A painting of the battleship Texas, the world's only surviving dreadnought. The Texas participated in World Wars 1 and 2, and for a time it was the most powerful weapon in the world. For some time now, the ship has been in Galveston, Texas, undergoing repairs. It is hoped (but is not certain) that the vessel will remain in Texas.
Galveston already operates Seawolf Park, which is located on Pelican Island. The park is the home of the submarine USS Cavalla and a destroyer escort, the USS Stewart (DE–238). I've been fortunate enough to visit both vessels. Sadly, I haven't been able to find my pictures. I do remember loving the submarine because we visited in the intense heat of July. The submarine evidently had an air conditioner setup - it was very comfortable inside. Still, I wouldn't want to go to sea in what seems like a tube.
The owner's copyright appears on the image.
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| Battleship Texas In Galveston - Source: Meta |
I used to work around Galveston, but that was before the Texas was there. She's the world's only surviving dreadnought.
"Commissioned in 1914 as the most powerful weapon in the world, the Battleship TEXAS is credited with the introduction and innovation of advances in gunnery, aviation, and radar. She is the last surviving Dreadnought as well as the only battleship in existence today that fought in both World War I and World War II."
Photo of the Battleship Texas in drydock in Galveston, Texas.
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| Author's Picture |
Advertisement From Farm and Ranch Magazine, 1923.
Dallas, Texas; June 2, 1923.
Oakland Automobile Advertisement with the terribly high price of $995.00; page 23. (.JPG image; 562x700; 177 KB).
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| Graceful Ghost Steamboat - Author's Picture |
The picture shows the bow of the Graceful Ghost steamboat, formerly of Uncertain, Texas. Its port was later in Karnack, Texas. I rode on this old boat a few years back; we took a short tour of Caddo Lake, near Jefferson, TX. It was a step back in time, but I was there in the summer and it was way too hot. I had never seen a real steamboat, just old pictures. At the time of this posting, I believe, the boat is no longer in operation by the people who owned it when I was there. I enjoyed the ride, and I enjoyed the trip to Jefferson, too. If I'm not mistaken (hearsay), someone told me this boat dates back to 1912.
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| Advertisement From Farm and Ranch Magazine, 1920 - Author's Picture |
Advertisement From Farm and Ranch Magazine, 1920.
Publisher Information Incomplete (However, this magazine came from Dallas, Texas; it is dated August, 1920).
Cream Separator and Avery Disc Plow Advertisement B.F. Avery & Sons of Dallas, Texas made these plows and boasts "No ground too hard for them." (.JPG image; 695x674; 136 KB).
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| Author's Picture |
Advertisement from Farm Journal, September 1908.
Publisher Information Not Available Due to Poor Condition.
Colic Cure; Absorbine; Elkhart Buggies and Harness Get a complete buggy for $63.50!
(page 326; .JPG image; 492x532; 96.2 KB).
