Historical MarkerRatcliff
Ratcliff · Houston County · Dedicated 1972 · THC Atlas #5225007016
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
Marker Inscription
About 1875, a 32-wagon train of settlers came here from Georgia. Jess H. Ratcliff (1844-1920) built a sawmill about 1855, drawing more people. Post office opened 1889, with Ratcliff as postmaster, and town soon had several stores. Professional men included Drs. H.L. McCall and Jake Jackson. Sold 1901 to Louisiana and Texas Lumber Co., then to Central Coal and Coke Co., sawmill became a vast complex, running until 1917, when it closed. Turning to logging or other enterprises, the community survived, although many residents moved away. The Ratcliff schools consolidated (1955) with Kennard.
About this site
Ratcliff is a historical marker in Ratcliff, Houston County, dedicated in 1972. It is one of 185 historical markers documented in Houston County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 361 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.3932, -95.1391 near Ratcliff. The nearest cataloged historic site is Ratcliff CCC Camp (historical marker), about 0.3 miles away. Others within a short drive include Four C Mill, Allen Chapel Community, and Antioch.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5225007016. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
