Site of Wardville
(1/4 mile south of marker) First county seat of Johnson County, chosen in Aug. 1855, and located on an 80-acre donation from William O'Neal. Named for Thomas William Ward (1807-72), a Republic of Texas soldier and second commissioner of General Land Office of Texas. The first courthouse, 16 feet square, was built by O'Neal of logs overlaid with clapboards, at cost of $49. When Wardville was found to violate Texas constitution's requirement that a county seat by within 5 miles of center of county, it was abandoned (1856). Ironically, later county line changes made it near the center.
32.3236° N, 97.4474° W
Where to Find It
On US 67, 50 yds W of Cleburne city limits
Nearby Markers
- 1.7 mi NE Southwest Metroplex Baptist Association Cleburne
- 2.2 mi E First United Methodist Church, Cleburne Cleburne
- 2.5 mi NE The Texas World War II Home Front Cleburne
- 3 mi NE Yellow Jacket Stadium Cleburne
- 3.2 mi SE Lake Pat Cleburne Cleburne
- 3.4 mi NE Field Street Baptist Church Cleburne