James W Throckmorton
by ATXtraveler
One of the famous residents of McKinney, TX is James Webb Throckmorton. He was the former Governor of Texas from 1866 to 1867, and an US Congressman from 1875-9 and 1883-9. Prior to his political service, he was also a member of the Texas Militia and Confederate Army, achieving the rank of Brig. General. As he was definitely a Confederate from all points of view, and agreed with the Confederacy after the war was over during the reconstruction period, his term as governor was very short lived.
His body is buried in Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney today. There is also a statue commemorating his life in the town square in downtown McKinney.
A Patriot and Statesman
by VeronicaG
The gentleman honored by this memorial is James W. Throckmorton, governor of Texas from August 6, 1866 to August 8, 1867.
Throckmorton was born in Tennessee in 1825 and was the son of a doctor. The family moved to Arkansas while he was a boy, then to Fannin County, Texas in 1841 and finally to Collin County. Below are highlights from his life of service--
*He joined the Rangers, but left in 1844 to study medicine with his uncle in Kentucky. This led to serving as an army surgeon in the Mexican War, eventually receiving a medical discharge.
*Deciding to follow law and politics rather than a medical career, he served five years as a state representative and five years as a state senator.
*He was elected to the Secession Convention of 1861 as a delegate. He joined six other delegates in voting against secession. He was a Unionist, but joined the Confederate army when war came.
*Throckmorton was appointed brigadier general in charge of troops responsible for guarding the Texas frontier and was appointed Confederate commissioner to the Indians.
*He served as president of the Constitutional Convention of 1866 and was elected governor that same year. When he and the U.S. military disagreed on the deployment of troops, he was removed from the governorship by General Philip Sheridan as "an impediment to reconstruction".
*Throckmorton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974-1888 and ran for governor in 1878 and again in 1890.
James Throckmorton died in McKinney, Texas on April 21, 1894.
info. from www.lib.utexas.edu
The Old Cotton Mill
by VeronicaG
We spotted this huge abandoned structure outside of McKinney as we were entering the town.
This 1910 Cotton Mill is a part of McKinney's Historic Cotton Mill District, which comprises 300 acres and 70 buildings.
This district is bounded by the railroad tracks, Burrus, Fowler, Amscott and Elm Streets.
It's important to note that McKinney was one of the principal cotton cities before the Civil War. At one time, this certainly must have contributed to the towns thriving economy.
FYI: This photo is taken from the rear of the building to include the smokestack.
McKinney Golf
by btex
There are several golf courses in the McKinney area: El Dorado, McKinney Country Club, Oak Hollow, etc.... The weather in North Texas is usually good enough to play any time of the year - except for maybe the heat of August or for a few cold snaps in winter. I don't golf much anymore - I developed a slice which drives me crazy. Anyways, most of the courses in McKinney are pretty nice, and some are kinda expensive. Check out the website for more info.
Pecan Grove Cemetery
by keeweechic
Pecan Grove in on one of the major highways driving north into McKinney. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in North Texas. Many Texas pioneers including Governors to gunslingers are buried here. It is also the final resting place of heroes of the Texas revolution and veterans of the Mexican War and every following war. There are some 57 acres which were granted by the Republic of Texas in 1845.
Location : Hwy 5 (McDonald at Industrial/Eldorado).
Sign in with Facebook
An outdoor sitting room
Banana Split Pie
Store Front in the Day
Chesare
