Shepherd

Originated in vicinity of Old Drew's Landing, a Trinity River port for settlers bringing in goods and shipping cotton, tobacco, and other products to markets. An early nearby community was Big Creek. Into these pioneer settlements came Houston East & West Texas Railroad investors, including Benjamin A. Shepherd (1814-1891) of Houston, who in 1875 platted townsite here, naming it for himself. The town square was on west side of H. E. & W. T., which was completed beyond this point in 1879. The Shepherd Post Office opened Dec. 22, 1879, with Jack B. Noble as postmaster. A pioneer physician was Dr. William Herbert Beazley (1837-1919); Mrs. Jessie Fain operated an early hotel; Mrs. Jane Langham taught first public school session, in Methodist church building. James Ephraim Tribe, a native of Canada, came here in 1895, was a carpenter, coffin maker, millwright, and wheelwright. A Baptist, he built a church edifice for that faith in 1896. Distinguished native son Robert Scott Lovett (1860-1932), became president of Southern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads and rendered outstanding civilian service to the nation during World War I. Once a center for the lumbering industry, Shepherd remains an important market town of southeast Texas.

Shepherd is a historical marker in Shepherd, San Jacinto County, dedicated in 1972. It is one of 23 historical markers documented in San Jacinto County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 94 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.4622, -95.0567 near Shepherd. The nearest cataloged historic site is Farley’s Chapel (cemetery), about 2.0 miles away. Others within a short drive include Old Big Creek, Lovett Cemetery, and New Cedar Grove.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5407007672. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.