William Williamson

(1829-1900) This community egan in 1867 when Louisiana native William Williamson and his wife Joissine Desmarais bought squatters rights and a log house on this tract of public land. Their home served as the community gathering place for socials and church meetings. After the death of their son Absolom in 1890, the Williamson Cemetery (1.3 mi. N) was set aside. Vitally interested in education, Williamson served as a school trustee as did several of his 15 children and their descendants. In 1900 Williamson and his wife were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; this marked the beginning of Mormonism in this area. The first church house of pine logs was erected about 1901 by volunteers. In 1915 a frame building was constructed here on an acre of land donated by Williamson's son Joseph. Signs of the Williamson influence in the community include: an early school and a major road bearing the name; the annual July 24th commemoration of the Mormons' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley; the public cemetery which has about 650 graves; the Family Genealogical Association; and this church building which is located at the center of the community.

William Williamson is a historical marker in Vidor, Orange County, dedicated in 1979. It is one of 66 historical markers documented in Orange County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 77 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.2274, -94.0213 near Vidor. The nearest cataloged historic site is John Cole Homestead (historical marker), about 5.6 miles away. Others within a short drive include Claiborne West, Linscomb Cemetery, and Kishi Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5361011553. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.