Major Ben Ficklin, C.S.A.

(1827-1871) Called Mystery Man of the Confederacy. Educated at Virginia Military Institute. At age 18 served as a corporal in Mexican War. In 1850's worked with stagecoach and mail lines from Missouri to San Francisco. Helped to start the Pony Express Line in 1860. Promoted idea of the railroad that later was the Union Pacific-- the first to span the U.S. Was a soldier and state quartermaster in Virginia at start of Civil War. Appointed Confederate purchasing agent, his swagger and success in Europe excited Federal envy. Personally ran blockade and passed through New York and Washington on secret missions. In 1867 was awarded U.S. contract for weekly mail run from Fort Smith, Ark., to San Antonio and El Paso. Had his operational headquarters 3 miles below Fort Concho. Owned 640 acres of land here. Built corrals, blacksmith shop, storage rooms, adobe house, kitchen and commissary. On a visit to Washington, died of swallowing fish bone. Was buried in Charlottesville,Va. Associates carried on the mail stage runs, later named town near Fort Concho for the late Major. "Benficklin" was first county seat of Tom Green, serving until it was destroyed by flood in 1882. (1965)

Major Ben Ficklin, C.S.A. is a historical marker in San Angelo, Tom Green County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 43 historical markers documented in Tom Green County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 130 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.4051, -100.4394 near San Angelo. The nearest cataloged historic site is Tom Green County (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Ben Ficklin Cemetery, Site of Ben Ficklin, and Fairmont Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5451001593. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.