If you're at the Hill County Courthouse, you won't be able to miss the Hill County Confederate…read moreMemorial, a tall Georgia-granite soldier that was installed in 1925 and is still standing in excellent condition on the northeast corner of the courthouse lawn. The figure at the top is one of those classic parade-rest poses and this one feels unusually well preserved for being over a century old. The stone is crisp, the details on the uniform are still sharp and the whole monument sits comfortable in the landscape without looking neglected or forgotten, which is more than I can say for a lot of similar memorials I've seen on other courthouse grounds. The base inscription credits the Patriotic Citizens of Hill County and the local Sons of Confederate Veterans camp for commissioning it, and while I won't get into feelings about the Lost Cause era of monument building, the craftmanship here is undeniable, the laurel wreath is still clean with the whole thing standing about twenty feet tall. While there have been broad conversations in Texas and across the South about monuments like this, with some counties relocating the statues or adding contextual signage, none of that seems to have happened here in Hill County. The memorial looks the same as when it was placed here 90 years ago. Even though the subject matter is complicated, it's still worth a look especially if you're already here to admire the courthouse building itself or the lovely Willie Nelson mural across the street. [Review 387 of 2026 - 703 in Texas - 25572 overall]

Located in front of the old post office, this marker points out some of the earliest history of the…read moreconsumption of petroleum product. Of course, Texas is known for oil. The marker reads, "First public use of natural gas began in Texas in 1902, from transmission lines on this street, serving local homes and businesses. These early lines were forerunners of mains that now transport Texas gas to three-fourths of the United States and Mexico. "Other natural gas industry pioneer achievements in Navarro County were the first use of meters, in 1905 at Chatfield (12 mi. NE), and first use of gas in pumping oil wells in the Corsicana field, 1906. "Developers of Navarro fields expanded to Clay County, and in 1907 were supplying natural gas to Henrietta and Wichita Falls; Fort Worth and Dallas were furnished service in 1909-1910. By 1918 new fields supplied Laredo, San Antonio, Waco. Today Texas is spanned by over 83,000 miles of gas pipelines. "A 1918 discovery opened the Amarillo field, soon recognized as the world's foremost gas field -- and point of beginning, during the 1920s, of the first interstate natural gas pipelines. "Texas now has 27 pipeline companies exporting gas. Annual production rate is nearly eight trillion cubic feet. A number of wells deliver more than 20 million cubic feet per day. Texas has 42.3 per cent of proven United States natural gas reserves." The marker was erected in 1967 by the State Historical Survey Committee. It is a little faded and could definitely use a refresh. It is marker number 7196. [Review 804 of 2024 - 559 in Texas - 21835 overall]

Ana makes me car sick. That's why I call her Carsickana…read more It's a tiny little town in Texas close to Dallas, on the way south to Houston. There's not much going on here but it has a nice small town feel and it's a good rest stop if you're nearly in Dallas or if you still have a long way to go to Houston. The town is mostly West of the hwy. Traffic can be a pain getting in and out (like your ma on a Saturday night) but there are several gas stations here so that helps.

Severe lack of basic modern amenities. There's decent internet and that's the only benefit it has…read moreto offer young to middle aged adults. Unless you're a retiree looking for cheaper housing or a fully remote worker who doesn't like to do anything but stare at the TV on their days off (that is when the electricity isn't cutting out in every little storm). No good food or shopping. Ordering things online is made more complicated in this town than others despite the increased need, because there's no way to easily initiate returns with Amazon or other services, as there's no no-box UPS drop offs here. You have to pay for boxes and label printing services and it ends up costing a lot of energy to return online items. The restaurants have really bad food like worse than you're probably imagining, besides the Indian place. Everywhere else is canned, frozen, microwaved, plastic packaging still in the food, dirty dining areas. There's only 1 Starbucks and it's far from residential area, out on the skirts of town where nobody even lives. No nature parks or hiking trails which even poorer rural towns have. It's also a good ole boy town, so between the official crime and the police you don't really feel safe going anywhere, especially as a pedestrian or alone. I think they just target poor people since they can't fight back in court and there's extreme poverty here. They just seem to go after anyone they can for quotas who they don't know from church or who's name isn't on a big building. It's how the city makes its revenue, so don't go there without a front, back, and driver window facing dashcam, or you could really get railroaded by the cops or worse, especially if you're poor (they probably get subsidies for jailing people yikes). One of the few worthwhile stores is does have is a home depot, which is really shocking to find out when you drive around and see the state of 90% of the houses. But you can't blame them since there aren't any jobs, and $15 an hour is considered good there, while their taxes are are swindled into things that will never benefit them like paving the pothole infested roads. Those roads will tear up your car if you just have a sedan or tacoma or something so drive slow.

The Marvin College historical marker stands in front of what used to be the college but is now…read moreMarvin Elementary School. I was not able to get a decent angle to see the astronomical observatory because of traffic lights and trees. I'm sure the interior is pretty cool but it was closed on this late afternoon. The marker is at the intersection of College Street and Marvin Avenue. There is no nearby legal parking. The marker reads, "The Northwest Texas Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South, built a college named for Bishop E.M. Marvin at the site in 1870-71. Waxahachie Methodists and others gave land, services, and money to develop the college. Distinctions were attained in music and chemistry teaching. The astronomical observatory was an outstanding feature. The enrollment reached about 250. Financially troubled, the college stressed practical studies in the 1880s, but closed in 1884. The City of Waxahachie then bought the property and used it to house its original public school." [Review 16072 overall - 253 in Texas - 1577 of 2021.]

Located in front of the Corsicana Visitors Center, this marker points out a Civil War hero who…read moremoved to Corsicana and helped the town grow into a city. The marker reads, "New York native Charles Henry Allyn (1842-1918) came to Texas in 1868, after having served as a captain in the Union army during the Civil War. Capt. Allyn arrived in Corsicana with his wife, Angela (Aldrich), in 1871. As a Corsicana businessman, he assisted in the organization of the First National Bank, local savings and loan companies, and the cotton mill. Allyn served as a member of the city council before holding a two-year term as Corsicana's mayor from 1888 to 1890. Capt. Allyn was also active in civic, educational, and church activities." There is parking at the visitors center (which was closed when I was here at 8pm). It is marker number 6226 and it was erected in 1985 by the Texas Historical Commission. [Review 806 of 2024 - 561 in Texas - 21837 overall]

Located at one main entrance to Corsicana, this pocket park displays a few pieces of oil history…read morethat demonstrate how this small town grew into a small city. The oil derrick is quite large (100 feet) and there is also an oil pump and some other oil machinery on display. None of it is functional, of course. There is some parking here and so it is an interesting "welcome" to Corsicana. [Review 797 of 2024 - 553 in Texas - 21828 overall]

I come through Milford on my way to some of the nearby towns. Unlike a lot of people, I actually…read moresometimes stop there to see what's up and what's new. Sadly, this once thriving town is in a bit of a decline. Many of the businesses on Main Street have gone away and the few that remain are struggling to find more ways to get people to stop and shop. It's sad to see really as Milford has some great people in it and in my opinion, these small towns are part of the American experience and should be supported .

Navarro County was formed from Robertson County in 1846. It is named for José Antonio Navarro…read more(1795-1871), a Tejano leader in the Texas Revolution who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. This courthouse was completed in 1905 and is in the Beaux Arts style, designed by James E. Flanders who also designed the Shackelford County Courthouse in Albany Texas and the Grand Lodge Temple in Waco, Texas. It is red burnet granite and gray brick. The clock dome was added later. The property includes a sculpture of a seated Navarro and a fireman memorial. A bugler statue is a Confederate memorial. [Round number review 800 of 2024 - 556 in Texas - 21831 overall]