DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells the story of Stonewall County — and it's quite a story to tell. Let's go back. Way back.
To 1541, when Francisco de Coronado came riding through this stretch of Texas on behalf of Spain. Spain. Before there was a Texas, before there was a United States, before most of the world had any idea this land even existed — Coronado was here.
You sit with that a moment next time the wind comes whistlin' across these plains. Then for a good long while, the land kept its own counsel. Texans started venturing in as early as the 1840s.
And in 1849, the U.S. Army sent Captain Randolph March out this way to map things proper. He did.
The land got named on paper, and the world started paying closer attention. Now here's something the country gave freely to those who came: salt. Real, usable salt — yielded right out of this ground for early settlers and hunters who needed it badly and were grateful for every grain.
Then came 1876, and with it, one of the more colorful chapters this county ever hosted: Rath City. Buffalo hunters' capital of the region, they called it. A whole city built around the business of the buffalo hunt, and it ran from 1876 all the way to 1879.
Three years of hard commerce, rough living, and the particular kind of noise a frontier boomtown makes. Then, quiet. Also in 1876 — same year Rath City roared to life — the county itself was created.
Though it wouldn't be organized until 1888, twelve years later. These things took time out here. The county carries the name of Confederate General Thomas Jonathan Jackson — better known to history as Stonewall.
Born in 1824, gone by 1863. The marker tells us his courage and fighting skill inspired Texas soldiers in the Civil War, and so they honored him here, out on these western plains, in the naming of this place. The first county seat was Rayner.
But in 1898, Rayner was replaced by Aspermont — a town named, the marker says, for its high location. Sometimes the land itself decides what a place gets called. From Coronado in 1541 to a county seat change in 1898 — Stonewall County packed a whole lot of history into ground that looks, at first glance, like it might not say much at all.
Don't let it fool you.
What the marker says
Explored 1541 on behalf of Spain by Francisco de Coronado. Visited by Texans early as the 1840s. Mapped by U.S. Army expedition of Capt. Randolph March, 1849. Yielded salt for use of early settlers and hunters. Was site of buffalo hunters' capital, Rath City, 1876-1879. County created in 1876; organized 1888. Named in honor of Confederate General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863), whose courage and fighting skill inspired Texas soldiers in the Civil War. First county seat, Rayner, replaced 1898 by Aspermont, named for high location. (1965)