Ward County

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's the story of Ward County. Formed from Tom Green County, Ward County was created on February 26, 1887, though it didn't get itself organized until March 29, 1892. And the name it carries?

That belongs to one Thomas William Ward, born in 1807, died in 1872, a man who packed a remarkable amount of living into those years. Ward was there at the storming of Bexar in December of 1835, one of those pivotal moments that echoes through Texas history. He went on to serve as Commissioner of the General Land Office from 1841 to 1848, and later as United States consul at Panama from 1853 to 1856.

A man who showed up, in other words, more than once, in more than one place that mattered. The county seat is Barstow, sitting out there in West Texas where this whole story put down roots. Not a bad legacy for a county named after a man who stormed a city, mapped a state, and represented his country on two continents.

What the marker says

Formed from Tom Green County; created February 26, 1887, organized March 29, 1892. Named in honor of Thomas William Ward, 1807-1872, at the storming of Bexar, December, 1835; Commissioner of the General Land Office, 1841-1848; United States consul at Panama, 1853-1856. Barstow, County Seat.