Historical Marker Number: 11553
Marker Title: William Williamson
(click on photos for a larger view)
Index Entry: Williamson, William
City: Vidor
Subject Codes: Year Marker Erected: 1979
Marker Location: FM 105 / Aunt Sadie Dr., 8 mi. north of Vidor
beside the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints chapel
Marker Text:
(1829-1900) This community began 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.
The information on Historical Markers
is from
The Texas Historical Sites Atlas
Photos by Darwin E. Morris and Elaine Stone
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