|
 The Wise County Reunion
N 33° 12.471 W 097° 36.039
14S E 630419 N 3675201
Texas Historical Marker commemorating the origins and evolution of The Wise County Reunion, which began life as a celebration for pioneers and Confederate veterans, but which is today the largest fair in the county. Held the last full week of July.
Waymark Code: WMHH67
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/11/2013
Views: 6
Marker Number: 5876
Marker Text:
The Confederate veterans of Wise County are said to have held occasional reunions in the 1860s-1870s. Old settlers invited both the Confederate veterans and Wise County pioneers to an 1881 reunion at Cold Springs. This was on July 12, the anniversary of Captain George Stevens' victory over hostile Indians in 1874.
About 5,000 people attended the 1881 reunion. The "Wise County Messenger" reported a successful day -- "only the music being a failure". Events included speeches and picnicking. The reunion began to occupy the present site in 1896. By 1900 it extended to three days -- honoring old settlers on the first, the veterans on the second, and daughters and sons of Confederates on the third. Sometimes 12,000 would attend, parading from courthouse to camp ground. Programs included candidates' speeches, rodeos, and sham battles. Evenings were devoted to visiting.
In 1901, the grounds were leased for 25 years. Later, campsites were leased and improved by participants.
The Wise County Old Settlers Association, formed in 1904, sponsored a 1907 pioneer history by C. D. Cates.
Extended to a week, with visiting in daytime and stated events in the evenings, this reunion is now the oldest recurring public event in the county. (1976)
|
Visit Instructions:
Please include a picture in your log. You and your GPS receiver do not need to be in the picture. We encourage additional information about your visit (comments about the surrounding area, how you ended up near the marker, etc.) in the log.
Recent Visits/Logs:
| There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|
|
|