Montalba

In area known as Beaver Valley, settled about 1853 -- the year that pioneer P. G. Oldham built his home a half-mile northwest of this marker. This was on the Palestine-Athens Road, the route taken by mail hacks in early days. To the east was a campground where travelers often spent the night, and where later inhabitants of the area used to gather for seasonal religious campmeetings. Near the Oldham home was the Beaver Valley Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Oldham donated land for a cemetery adjoining the church. Nearby stood a noted early school, Beaver Academy. The church was later known by name "Holly Springs." The first local physician, Dr. T. J. Adams, built his homestead in the woods of Beaver Valley in 1859, and conducted a wide practice until he was past 80. During the Civil War, while the young men of the area were away in the army, an iron foundry in this valley made arms and bullets for the Confederacy. In 1880 a post office was granted under the name Montalba -- suggested by early settler to be Hamlett, inspired by snowclad mountain on the horizon. Mrs. Mollie Hamlett was the first postmaster. In later years Montalba settlement was moved southward, and now thrives as a market and supply point for valley. (1970)

Montalba is a historical marker in Montalba, Anderson County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 115 historical markers documented in Anderson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 227 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.9313, -95.7404 near Montalba. The nearest cataloged historic site is Green Cemetery at Pace's Chapel (cemetery), about 2.4 miles away. Others within a short drive include Holly Grove Cemetery, Calhoun Cemetery, and Concord Baptist Church and Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5001008779. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.