Knox County

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Knox County. Sounds simple enough.

But simple things out here in Texas have a way of carrying a whole lot of history in a very small package. This county was formed from Young and Bexar Territories, and it was created February 1, 1858. Now, you might think that's where the story starts.

But Knox County wasn't done being born just yet. It had to be recreated on August 21, 1876. Recreated.

That word does some heavy lifting. Then, after all that, the county was organized on March 20, 1886. Three dates before it was truly up and running.

Some things worth having take a while to take hold. The county is named in honor of General Henry Knox, born in 1759, died in 1806. And this was a man who earned the honor.

Henry Knox served as Major General of the Continental Army in 1781. He went on to serve as Secretary of War from 1785 to 1794. A man who helped build a nation, and then helped defend it, and now his name sits quiet on the map of West Texas.

The county seat is Benjamin. Out here on the rolling plains, that name on a marker and a seat of government is the whole legacy carried forward. General Knox never set foot in this territory.

But this stretch of Texas prairie carries his name all the same, and has been doing so since before it could even hold an election.

What the marker says

Formed from Young and Bexar Territories. Created February 1, 1858. Recreated August 21, 1876. Organized March 20, 1886. Named in honor of General Henry Knox, 1759-1806. Major General of the Continental Army, 1781, Secretary of War, 1785-1794. Benjamin, the county seat.