Named in honor of Sergeant John Newton, 1752-1807. Marker Text: Formed from Jasper County created April 22, 1846, organized July 13, 1846. Marker Location: about 3 mi SE of Newton on US 190 in roadside park. After consolidation with the Burkeville District, the schoolhouse became a Union Church. Farrsville Post Office operated until 1948. A water mill, grist mill, cotton gin, sawmill and tannery made this a major trade center. Before the Civil War large plantations stood along the military and stagecoach road. Once called Farr's Mill, the community was named for Alfred Farr, who established nearby Farr's Chapel Methodist Church. One of the early settlers was American Revolutionary War veteran Thomas C. Marker Text: In the 1830s, this area was part of the Lorenzo De Zavala land grant. Marker Location: Located in Newton County Historical Center, Newton Breastworks were built on east bank, and timber cleared here on west bank, in effort to guard against Federal invasions. This crossing was considered strategic in 1860's, during the Civil War. Besides the famous El Camino Real (King's Highway) from Natchitoches, other entry roads were the "Upper" route, from present-day Shreveport "Lower" route, from Opelousas and this one, called "The Old Beef Trail" because it was used to drive thousands of cattle from Texas to Alexandria for shipment to such cities as New Orleans, as early as the 1820's and 30's. It was one of four main points of entry on Texas-Louisiana border. This crossing (earlier called Hickman's Ferry) gave pioneers the means to enter Texas with their stock, household goods,and other property. Town of Burr's Ferry grew up on east side of the river. He practiced medicine from home plantation on the Sabine. Burr is said to have come to the Sabine area in 1809, but moved his family down from Ohio in 1820's. Timothy Burr (1790-1852), second cousin of U. Marker Text: An important communications point between Texas and the United States, especially during settlement era of early 1800's. Marker Location: SH 63 just before Lousianna Border next to stone TX monument. Marker Title: Site of Old Burr's Ferry (At Highway Bridge) Railroad expansion into Kansas, in the late 1860s, diverted the cattle drives to the North, and led to decline of Beef Road as a major cattle trade route. Sabine River crossings were fortified against attack, as the roads would be a necessity for an invading force, but the expected invasion never came. During the Civil War, the Beef Road was an important supply artery to the Confederate states, until the Federal army gained control of the Mississippi River in July 1863. The cattle were corraled at night in "beef pens", located at points along the trails, including Weeks' Chapel and Toledo. The northern fork, to Natchitoches, crossed the Sabine at Bevil's Ferry (later Haddon's) The middle route, to Alexandria, led to Hickman's Ferry (later Burr's): The southern branch, to Opelousas, crossed at New Columbia. Named for cattle trade, it began in Huntsville and Liberty regions, and ran through Zavala, Jasper, and into present Newton County, where it forked near this site, forming three routes. The Beef Road, which replaced earlier "Zavala Road", was an important route by 1840, crossing this area. Marker Text: Early 19th century trade routes across the Sabine River were few, and served all travelers and traders. | Toledo Bend | Trout Creek Cemetery Museums Old Beef Road Beef Road, Old | Site of Old Burr's Ferry | Farrsville | Newton County | Newton County Courthouse | Newton County History Center | Newton County, C.S.A. Part of our in-depth series exploring Texas Forest Trail Region Forts Topics (click on a topic to jump to that section).
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