Site of the Ranch of the
Thurmans of Kickapoo
​(The Eugene Mayes Ranch, 1920 - 1966)

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Marker Text: ​In 1882 Joe Thurman and sons Bill, Sam and Jess became first permanent settlers on the west prong of the Nueces River. By 1895 neighbors included the Barksdale, Chapman, Cox, Ellis, Haley, Justice, Parham, Silman, and Tabor Families. A brush arbor sheltered the first church, with Virgil Silman and A.J. Cox as preachers, and first school, with Perry Ellis as teacher. Joe Thurman acted as doctor, dentist, and coffin maker for this ranch community. His family raised fine horses for racing. In 1895 they matched their favorite against the horse of John Nance Garner, later U.S. Vice President. (1972)

Marker No: 5488

Aluminum 18 x 28 Subject Marker

Geographic: 29.748508, -100.394897

Location: ​from Rocksprings take US Highway 377 south approximately 3 miles to RR 674; take RR 674 south approximately 25 miles (row)