(4 mi. west) (Camp No. 94, United Confederate Veterans) Established 1889, in era when Texas looked to Civil War veterans for state leadership. One of numerous parks on river banks or other favored sites that drew large, popular annual encampments. Statesmen came to make speeches. There were orations by old soldiers; memorial programs, reviews, concerts. In 1892 the camp purchased this 70-acre tract; sold lots to shareholders; named streets for Lee, Jackson, other heroes. During week of full moon each August, members came to encampments; set up housekeeping in tents, shacks or brush arbors; entertained, feasting on fried chicken, barbecue, Brunswick stew, sweet potato pie, watermelons. Special trains were run for years from Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston. In peak years 5,000 people assembled here. Until 1940, the dawn and dusk salutes shot by Old Valverde, Civil War cannon, were heard far into neighboring counties. Besides giving honors to Confederate veterans, the encampments were occasions for family reunions. After the Mexia oil boom began in 1920, Col. A. E. Humphreys, a leader in petroleum development, built club facilities and promoted use of the park. The reunion grounds still are dedicated to the memory of the late Confederate veterans. (1965) This marker was relocated here to the actual site of the Confederate Reunion Grounds by the Limestone County Historical Commission, 2003.
Johnston, Joseph F., Reunion Grounds
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
Johnston, Joseph F., Reunion Grounds is a historical marker in Mexia, Limestone County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 67 historical markers documented in Limestone County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 187 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.6640, -96.4994 near Mexia. The nearest cataloged historic site is Mexia Oil Boom (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Site of Dunbar High School, Hancock Cemetery, and Cedar Hill Burial Park.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5293002858. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
Get Texas Roam — all 28,000 sites in your pocket
See this site and every marker, cemetery, courthouse, museum and landmark across Texas on one live map — find what's near you, get directions, and check in as you roam.
