Photo by Dana Stubbs

Marker dedicated April 13, 1985

Location: 200 North 12th Street,
Corsicana, Texas

Corsicana

Soon after Navarro County was created by the Texas Legislature in 1846, A committee was appointed to choose a site for the county seat.   The committee selected a 100-acre tract of land that came to be the city of Corsicana.

The town was named for Corsica, the homeland of the parents of Texas Patriot Jose Antonio Navarro, for whom the county was named.   Corsicana was governed by a town commission whose duty was to map the area and sell lots.  Early settler Hampton McKinney built a log cabin for his home, which also was used as a school, post office, courthouse, and land office.  He also operated the McKinney Tavern, where many early settlers and travelers boarded.  Other early Corsicana businesses included a Hardware store, carpenter ship, drug store, saddle ship, saloon, and blacksmith shop.

A period of tremendous growth was initiated in 1871 with the coming of the Houston & Central Texas Railroad.  The first free public schools were offered during the early 1880's, and the late 19th century saw Corsicana in the midst of an oil boom.  The city became a Texas pioneer in commercial oil production and in the use of natural gas for fuel and lighting and continues today as a leader in the area's growth. (1985)

The text of the historical markers have been posted here with the permission of the Texas Historical Commission

Dedication Program

Saturday, April 13, 1985

Master of Ceremonies ... J. Forest Green, Chairman, Navarro County Historical Commission

Band Ensemble ... Joe Farmer, Corsicana High School Band

Invocation ... B. F. Risinger, Minister, First Baptist Church

Welcome Address ... Bob Buske, President of Navarro County Historical Society

Guest Speaker ... McAfee Daniel, Head of Communications, Navarro College

Dedicatory Remarkes ... Tom Waldrop, State Representative

Dedication of Marker ... Gary Bennett, Judge, Navarro County

Acceptance of Marker ... Sue Youngblood, Former Mayor, Corsicana

Battle Hymn of the Republic ... Corsicana High School Band

Unveiling of Marker ... Gary Brown, Senior Trust Officer InterFirst Bank

Historical Research by Wyvone Putman