National Register of Historic Places

Marker

Location

Howard L. & Vivian W. - Lott House

311 East Kilpatrick Street

State Historic Markers

Site of First Law Office of James Stephen Hogg

Jim Hogg, first native born governor, lived in Mineola from 1878 to 1884. While living here his daughter, Miss Ima Hogg, was born. Shrewd investments in property and later oil left the Hogg family extremely wealthy. 

Hwy 80

1936

(Centennial Marker)

Mineola Masonic Lodge

The Lodge was chartered on December 15, 1879 with a membership of 48. The Lodge lost the original records when the building was burned. In 1929 the Lodge moved to the corner of N. Johnson and W. Kilpatrick Streets.

Loop 564 West

1979

O.P. Pyle House 123 N Line Street

This Queen style antebellum home was built in 1903-04 when Mr. Pyle was editor and publisher of the Mineola Courier. The home has been designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.

Line Street

1982

Wisener Field

This is one of the oldest privately owned and operated airports in Texas. In 1926 Henry and Bryce Wisener, brothers, leased the property and began construction on hangers and they gave flying lessons. The Wisener brothers were "barnstomers" and operators of the Royal Flying Circus.

Country Club Drive

1988

Lott House

This beautiful old home at 311 East Kilpatrick Street is both a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

East Kilpatrick

1996

Birthplace of Miss Ima Hogg

Miss Ima Hogg was born on July 10, 1882 in Mineola, Texas and was the daughter of later Gov. Hogg and Miss Sallie Stinson Hogg. Texas was the beneficiary of Miss Hogg's generosity and devotion to historic preservation and also her giving back to the citizens of Texas some of the wealth of the family. 

Line Street

1997

Public Mineral Water Well

The mineral water well was uncovered about 1889 by men drilling for salt. A windmill was installed and the well drilled to 150 feet in depth. The well was located in the middle of the intersection of W. Broad and Johnson Street. In 1924 the well was capped by brick laid to enlarge the street.

North Johnson Street

1998

Sarah Lee Patten Buchanan

Sarah Buchanan was the first woman in Texas to be named as a full professor in a state college, Sam Houston State Normal College in Huntsville, where she taught for 24 years.

Hwy 69 North

1998

Select Theatre

One of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the state. This theater was owned and operated by R. T. Hooks family for many years until 1986 when the Lake Country Playhouse assumed the operation. The theater is known locally for its neon tower with revolving base and visible for miles.

North Johnson Street

1998

Texas Ranger, William Jesse McDonald

Mr. McDonald owned a mercantile store and later an opera house. Bill McDonald was a friend of later governor Jim Hogg and when Gov. Hogg took office he named Bill McDonald as a captain of the Texas Rangers in 1891. Later Mr. McDonald served as State Revenue Agent and Marshal of the Northern District of Texas.

Corner of Newsom & Kilpatrick

1998

John Creighton Buchanan

John Creighton Buchanan was the first Wood County Attorney in 1876. He also served in the Texas Senate from 1878 to his death in 1884 at age 36.

City Cemetery

1999

Mineola Post Office Bldg.

Built in 1936-37 as a Works Progress Administration project, it served the Mineola Community until 1998 when the post office built a new building on East Broad Street. Today, it is the home of the Mineola Historical Museum. The post office building has been named a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.

Hwy 69 North

1999

Richard Malcolm Smith

Richard Malcolm Smith came to Wood County in 1897 and established the Wood County News, he later bought the Mineola Monitor. He also served as a district judge and in the Texas Legislature.

City Cemetery

1999

Robert N. Stafford

Mr. Stafford served as county attorney, district attorney and later was elected in 1894 to the Texas Senate. He worked for the I&GN Railroad and managed the Mineola Ice, Light & Water Company.

City Cemetery

1999

Harry W. Meredith

In 1908 Mr. Meredith entered the banking business and he served as president of the Mineola State Bank until 1932 when the bank merged with Mineola First National Bank. In 1958 the Meredith Foundation was organized and continues today to provide funding for a variety of local projects.

N. Johnson St.

2001

C. W. Raines

Met future Governor Jim Hogg in Canton and was sent by Jim Hogg to publish The Mineola Hawkeye in 1880. Mr. Raines was elected county judge in 1886 and served terms. When Gov. Hogg took office he appointed Mr. Raines as State Librarian where he served twelve years.

Gazebo area-Commerce St.

2001

First Baptist Church

Founded in 1887 when Rev. T. L. Scruggs began holding worship services. The first frame sanctuary was known as Powell's Chapel. The church continues to grow and is an important part of the religious heritage of Mineola.

N. Johnson St.

2002

First Nat. Bank of Mineola

This bank was chartered in 1898 and H. M. Cates served as the first president. The bank is still in operation today. The bank is now located at 200 North Pacific.

N. Pacific

2002

Original First National Bank Bldg. (Currently the Chamber Building)

This beautiful building a blend of Italian Renaissance and Beaux Arts exhibits many architectural details and is the most beautiful building in Mineola. The building served as the home for the bank until 1965. Today it is the location of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce.

E. Broad Street

2002

George C. Reeves

Mr. Reeves came to Mineola shortly after its founding. He was appointed as a transfer agent for the State penitentiary system by his friend, Jim Hogg.

City Cemetery

2002

The Breen Family (Not erected as of this date State Family Land Heritage Property - 100 years of Agriculture Land owned by same family)

The first catholic family in Mineola and their home provided a place for the new Catholic Church. Mr. Thomas Breen served as the Mineola Postmaster for 18 years and his daughter, Lucy, served as postmaster for 19 years.

N. Pacific

2003

The Coleman Drug Store/Hospital

Dr. W. J. Coleman opened a drug store here in 1902 and for over sixty years the drug store was run by his son Charlie Coleman who was a pharmacist. In 1933 until the start of World War II a hospital/clinic was upstairs and was operated by Dr. Coleman's brothers, Robert and John. The two brothers joined the armed forces and closed the clinic.

S. Johnson

2004

The Mineola Fire Department

The first fire company was organized as the Mineola Fire Co. The first fire marshal was S. L. Bradford. In 1931 the fire department finally had a permanent location when the City Hall/Fire Station was built on the corner of Kilpatrick and Line Streets as a Works Progress Administration project.

Mineola Fire Station-N. Johnson

2005

Dr. A. L. Patten

Dr. Patten moved to Mineola in the 1870's where he practiced medicine and during the Civil War he served as a surgeon with the 22nd Texas Regiment.

City Cemetery

2006

Jim Hogg & Friends - (Trent Home)

Some of the friends of Jim Hogg were C. W. Raines, George Reeves, William (Bill) McDonald, John and Sarah Buchanan. He was also friends with whom he practiced law, Barney Hart, Sen. John C. Buchanan, E. A. Tharp and Malcolm Landers.

N. Johnson St.

2006

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church

The church was founded in 1871 by Reverend Branham and their first church building was built. In 1897 the church moved to its present location. The longest serving pastor was Rev. Charles Colquitt who served more than 41 years.

304 S. Stone

2006

The Railroads in Mineola

From 1873 to the present the railroad has been the driving force and has had great influence on the economy and growth in population. Today Amtrak makes two stops in Mineola every day, east to Chicago and west to Los Angeles.

Transportation Plaza-Front St.

2007

Caddo Indian Settlement

This area was populated by the Hasinai tribe of the Caddo Indians. Artifacts found confirm that the Sabine River and its tributaries supported life here for the Indians for centuries prior to 1840.

Mineola Nature Preserve

2007

The City of Mineola History

The city was founded in 1873 when a junction of two railroads, Houston & Great Northern and Texas & Pacific crossed here. Mineola's history is wrapped with the railroad and it has provided the means to have a thriving community.

E. Commerce St. west of Caboose

2008

Mineola Opera Houses

The opera house era lasted from 1887 to World War I and was an important social and entertainment part of our history. Mineola had two opera houses, one owned by Bill McDonald on Front Street and the other on N. Johnson St., which was owned by Julius Caspary.

N. Johnson

2008

The Dr Pepper Company

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Greer opened their bottling business in 1913 and bottled numerous soft drinks.  In 1926 they received a franchise for Orange Crush and in 1938 the franchise for Dr Pepper.  The business continued to operate until 1955 when Mrs. Greer sold it to an out-of-town bottling company.

Government Projects in Mineola

During the Depression the federal government set up agencies to provide work for those in need, and Mineola's projects include the old post office building, the old city hall and fire station, sewing rooms and canning factories.  Under another government agency, artists were hired to paint murals in public buildings and Mineola was chosen and the mural was done by Bernard Zakheim.

N. Pacific

Kilpatrick Street

The Jewish Community

Mineola was a stop for Jews migrating from the Gulf Coast westward.  Some of the Jewish settlers and business owners were Isaac Bromberg, Samuel Zuckerman, Simon Munzsheimer, Nathan Sodekson, and "Buddie" Mayer.

Saloons in Mineola

At one time Mineola had as many as 14 saloons and beer halls during the period of the early 1870s until 1903 when a local option election was held.  As a result of the election the saloons had to close as alcohol could no longer be sold in the county.

The Barney B. Hart (Magnolia House) Home

This beautiful old home built by Barney B. Hart in 1906 was named a Recorded Texas Landmark in 2009.  This two story frame house was occupied by a member of the Hart Family until 1982.  On November 25, 2009, the home was destroyed by a fire which was intentionally set.  Mineola has lost one of its outstanding historical homes.

State Family Land Heritage Property

Marker

Location

Dear’s Ranch-Founded 1890 - Dedicated 1991

This ranch is owned by the Dear Family. James O. Dear who owns the ranch was one of the managers of the Select Theater for many years, raises cattle and he has served as a Trustee on the Meredith Foundation Board for over 30 years.

2 miles off F.M. 1254   (Martin Bridge Road)

Dodson’s Ranch

The Dodson family were some of the earliest settlers to the county. Their ranch is located east of Mineola where Irving Dodson, a family member, had a blacksmith shop and today his son, Joe Dodson, runs the ranch.

Hwy 80 and CR 2700

Local Historic Markers

Marker

Location

Date

Lott Home

This home was built by Angus Beaird in 1918 and several years later sold to Howard and Vivian Lott. The Lott Family lived in the home for over sixty years. Mr. Lott was the owner of Lott Insurance Agency. Today it is the home of Mark and Sharon Chamblee and run as a bed and breakfast.

East Kilpatrick

1999

Munzesheimer Manor

This beautiful large antebellum home was built by the Munzesheimers in the early 1900's. Today it is a bed and breakfast owned by Bob and Sherry Murray.

North Newsom

1999

The Templeton/Watts House

This home built by Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Templeton in the 1930's was later sold to Ray and Lisa Watts. Today it is the home of Joe and Matrice Parish.

Sycamore

2000

Mineola Post Office Building

This Art Modern building built in 1936-37 as a government project was opened in 1937 and until 1998 was the post office for the City of Mineola. A mural, another government project, was painted by Bernard Zakheim of San Francisco, Calif. The original mural on canvas was destroyed and could not be restored. Today a reproduction of the mural hangs on the wall above the Postmaster's office. It was recreated by his son, Bernard, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Hwy 69 North

2000

Mineola Chamber Building

This building has been awarded the Recorded Texas Landmark status. It is the most ornate decorated building in Mineola. This building was the home of First National Bank until 1965 when they moved to their present location at 200 N. Pacific Street.

Hwy 80-101 E. Broad

2000

John & Mollie Veasey

These two African - American educators in early Mineola served the black students for many years, John became principal in 1903 of the South Ward School. The Veaseys were the parents of four children.

City Cemetery

2001

English Home

This historic home was owned by "Babe" English and his family for many years. Mr. English owned a service station at the corner of Broad and Pacific Streets. Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jones now own the home and rent it for meetings and also as a bed and breakfast.

North Johnson St.

2001

Dr. T. B. Reed Home

Dr. Reed was a long time serving physician in Mineola and shared offices with Dr. Buchanan. Their office was upstairs over what is now the Legal Grounds Coffee Shop.

East Blair St.

2001

Hart Magnolia House - (Dr. Peterson's House)

This beautiful old home in 2009 received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation, and was built by Barney B. Hart to replace the home on the property that burned in 1898. The home was occupied and owned by a member of the Hart family until 1982. The home was then sold to John and Pam Trent. Rob and Katherine Campos bought the home in 2007. Mineola suffered a great loss on November 25, 2009 when an arsonist set fire to the beautiful old home.

205 N. Johnson St.

2002

The Noble Manor

This beautiful old two-story home was built in 1913 by Dr. Samuel Cloud Noble, a dentist, and his wife occupied the home for many years.  The home was sold at that time to Harry and Irma Jones who lived there about thirty years. 

411 E. Kilpatrick

2002

Miss Addie McFarland School

Miss Addie McFarland was an early black educator in Mineola and she opened a kindergarten in her home and later became a teacher in the public schools.  On December 8, 1952, the Board of Education of the Mineola I.S.D. voted to name the black schools, the Addie McFarland Elementary School and McFarland High School.

708 S. Stone St.

2003

The Old Mineola City Hall

During the Depression the government run programs provided jobs for people who needed a job and the Fire Station and City Hall buildings were built as a government project. The Fire Hall was built in 1931 but the City Hall was not completed until 1939. This Art Deco building served the City until 1986 when a new city complex was built on Hwy. 69.

W. Kilpatrick St.

2003

The Original Town Site

In 1873 Mineola was founded and local merchants opened businesses housed in rough plank buildings that formed a crescent around the plaza and near the railroad tracks.

East Broad (Hwy 80)

2003

Fairgrounds/Racetrack

Mineola had yearly fairs during the 1880-1890 time period. The big attraction was horse racing and it is said that the track was known as the Kentucky Derby of Texas.

N. Sycamore St.-By the old H.S. Gym

2004

The Farmers Market

The Market opened in 1947 and began building sheds and bought scales for truck growers and Texas and Pacific Railway built two spurs that would accomodate 30 freight cars. The Market attracted buyers to Mineola who would indicate the crops they were interested in and thereby giving the farmer a market for their crops and a railroad to transport them.

Gazebo Area

2004

History of Newspaper Industry/Mineola Monitor

Beginning in 1883 the newspaper has provided Mineola a weekly newspaper. Numerous individuals and groups have owned the newspaper through the years. Robert Henry Carraway was the longest serving editor, serving 32 years. The paper was sold to Neil Harle and then to Dan Peacock and an investment group ran the newspaper from 1965 to the mid 1980s.

Mineola Monitor Office Mimosa Drive

2004

Smith Chair Factory/Tilley Bros. Electric Co.

This very early company opened in 1886 and in 1897 Mineola got its first electric plant and the engines and generators were housed in the Chair Factory as the Chair Factory operated during the day; and the Electric Company at night as electricity at that time was only used for lighting purposes.

E. Broad St. (Hwy. 80)

2004

Watermelon Festival

Beginning in 1949 and continuing until 1962 each year, Mineola had a Watermelon Festival to publicize the area as the watermelon center of Texas. Local girls on the day of the Festival served ice cold watermelon to tourists. Local girls served as princesses and a queen was crowned at the festival.

Gazebo Area

2004

Black Spiders

The Spiders were minor league baseball players during the 1930's era. This black baseball team had 27 players clad in solid gray uniforms. Some of the players on the team were Josh Epperson, Henry Thomas, Clarence Wheeler and "Little Snoop" Parker.

South Park Entrance

2005

Dixie Overland Hwy/Jim Hogg Hwy

U.S. Highway 80 was originally called the Dixie Overland Hwy. and went from Dallas to Shreveport. Highway 69, going north and south, was called the Jim Hogg Hwy. The City received money from both the State and County for improvements, which were greatly improved from the old roads.

Corner N. Pacific/W. Broad

2005

Early Black Businesses

Though not many of them big, these businesses were able to "nickel and dime" a living plus provide needed services to the community. Some of those businesses were George Hill's Cafe, Ester's Beauty Shop, "Bar 20" and Major Daniels, bricklayer.

South Park Entrance

2005

Ford-Green Cemetery

Located just west of Mineola at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Green Road, this cemetery was first called Bethel Cemetery as at that time there was a Bethel Cjurch of Christ in the community. This cemetery had been abandoned and neglected until about 6 years ago when the Jr. Historians and Landmark Commission began cleaning and just recently have completed the legal work of setting up an association for the cemetery and a 501(C)-3 tax exempt organization to own the cemetery and collect money for needed maintenance and upkeep.

Green Rd/Country Club Drive

2005

Early Lighting in Downtown Mineola

Arc Lighting where the illuminating source is the current of electricity passing between two sticks of carbon kept apart. It has been said that the lights were extremely bright. These lights were replaced in 1922 when cables for 20 light standards were laid before the streets were paved.

By Veterans Park-Commerce St.

2006

Bridge Bob Pond

An I&GN employee known only as Bob was responsible on the Sabine River rail bed to check and ensure that no sparklers were left rom passing trains. Bob lived on what is now Nature Preserve property.

Nature Preserve

2007

Mrs. Johnnie I. Bendy

Nature Preserve

2007

Nature Preserve

2007

Thomas Clinic Building

The Clinic was founded by Dr. James W. Williams, and in 1951 he built this clinic building for $25,000. In 1965 he closed his Mineola pratice and moved to Austin. In 1966 Dr. John Thomas and his wife, Marilyn, bought the building and moved their practice from Grand Saline. Until 1977 the Thomas Clinic remained open. Today the clinic is opened again and run by Dr. Elliott.

415 W. Kilpatrick

2008

Mineola Black Cemetery

The earliest burial dates back to the mid 1800s and veterans of both World Wars are buried here. Today St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church has taken the responsibility to not only actively support it but also provide cleaning and maintenance.

Belcher Street

2008

Mineola Ice, Light and Water Company

This company was founded in 1902 and until 1915 provided electricity for the city; was an ice plant for local citizens and to refrigerate railroad cars of Texas and Pacific Railroad. Lignite coal from the Alba Mines was their energy source and was delivered by the railroad.

S. Johnson and Front St.

2008

Mallory Brothers

M.T. Mallory and his two sons, Eugene and Claud, in 1916 owned and operated grocery stores and a feed store which carried Ralston Purina Products. Each year the Store had an entry in the Armistice Day Parade, a mule pulling a wagon covered with Ralston products, American Flags, and the red-checkered logo of Purina. Eugene Mallory died in 1931 and the store was closed soon after.

W. Broad and S. Line St.

2008

Hope Cemetery

This cemetery once sat next to a Baptist church but in 1930 the church disbanded and later organized the Rose Hill Baptist Church. Today there is no trace of the building and it is an overgrown neglected cemetery.

FM 1254

2008