Old Settlers and Veterans Association of Falls County
Marlin
Falls County, Texas
31 15.893' N 96 58.804' W
Directions: Start at the intersection of CR-408 and FM-2027. Go 250 yards south on FM-2027. The marker is on the right (west) of the road.
Text: Some 75 years after pioneers opened this region, the quot;Old Settlers Association of Falls Countyquot; was organized on July 4, 1908. In 1909, the Willis L. Lang Camp of Confederate veterans and the settlers held a joint reunion. Merging later, they chartered the quot;Old Settlers and Confederate Veterans Association of Falls Countyquot; in 1911. Goals were to memorialize deceased comrades, honor the pioneers, and preserve southern history. Signing the charter where John M. Jolly, Edmund Pierson, and J. H. Robertson of Marlin; R. B. Bratton of Kosse; N. R. Watkins and F. O. Porter of Lott. This 17.9-acre permanent reunion ground was acquired in 1912 from the family of J. K. Tomlinson, an 1858 settler from Georgia who, along with a son William, enlisted and died in the Civil War. In 1936, an historic log cabin was relocated here--to exhibit pioneer memorabilia. A new charter in 1946 renamed the organization the quot;Old Settlers and Veterans Association,quot; signifying its opening to the soldiers of later wars. Patriotism, education and historical preservation are still stressed. Falls Countians in state and national life reflect ideals which have been instilled by this association.