Barbed Wire in Cooke County
The development of barbed wire fencing had a revolutionary impact on the economy and settlement pattern in Texas. In 1874, Joseph Glidden of Illinois received a patent for his barbed wire. By 1875, Henry B. Sanborn had come to North Texas as Glidden's barbed wire salesman. Cleaves & Fletcher Hardware, once located at this site, and other Gainesville businesses began to stock Glidden's Barbed Wire as it came into demand by Texas ranchers. Sanborn's 1875 transaction with Cleaves & Fletcher may represent the earliest sale of two-stranded modern barbed wire in Texas. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.
33.6242° N, 97.1446° W
Where to Find It
100 East California, Gainesville.
Nearby Markers
- <0.1 mi S Gainesville National Bank Gainesville
- 0.1 mi SW Cooke County Courthouse Gainesville
- 0.1 mi SW City Hall-Fire Station, Old Gainesville
- 0.1 mi SE Cooke County Free Library Gainesville
- 0.2 mi SE First United Methodist Church of Gainesville Gainesville
- 0.2 mi E Saint Paul's Church Gainesville