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 Old Cora Courthouse Soon after the creation of Comanche County in 1856, the town of Cora (10 miles southeast) was platted to serve as the county seat. The courthouse in Cora, typical of many early Texas courthouses, was 12’7”x12’10”, one-room, squared log structure. It served the county until the seat of government was moved to Comanche in 1859. The “Old Cora” courthouse was incorporated into a house built about 1880 and has been moved several times over the years. It stands as a reminder of the now-extinct town of Cora and of early Texas courthouse architecture. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 |
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 Bicentennial Park A city-county beautification project sponsored by the Comanche County Bicentennial committee featuring state historical markers and stone columns from 1890 count courthouse which were donated by the descendants of E. E. Anthony. Park dedicated July 4, 1976 |
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 Indian Raid In Comanche One of boldest depredations in Texas history, made in May 1861. During the “Bright Moon”. A braying mule wakened town after nearly all horses were stolen. Citizens spent rest of night molding bullets. Pursuit began at down, under command of Captain James Cunningham, assisted by 17 boys and men, using hounds. Posse finally caught indians on Brown’s Creek (about 36 miles southwest). Killing 19 in close righting. White men’s only casualty was a slight wound given to Captain Cunningham. Relentless pursuit of Indian raiders was key to a town’s survival on the frontier. (1969) |
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 Fleming Oak Camped her in 1854 with his father, young Martin V. Fleming hid behind this tree and saved himself when hostile indians rode through the grove. Years later paving contractors started to cut the oak, but were stopped by “Uncle mart” with is gun. (1965) |
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 General Ashbel Smith, C. S. A. (1805-1886) Born in Connecticut. Graduated at 19 from Yale. Studied medicine in France, where friends were revolutionary war hero Lafayette and inventor Samuel F. B. Morse. As a north Carolina doctor he later took interest in politics and government. Came to Texas 1937. Was bade surgeon—general of army. As headright (settler’s land bounty) and pay for army service, obtained in 1839 Comanche county tract on south Leon river, near this site. Was sent to England and France, 1842, as Texas charge d’ affaires. In cabinet of President Anson Jones, was last secretary of state of republic of Texas. Served in U. S. Army in Mexico War. As member of Texas Legislature, 1855-1857. Worked in behalf of schools and railroads. Won Civil War citations for bravery. Commanded 2nd Texas Infantry. Built defenses and helped to save Texas coast form federal invasion. In 1865, at the end of the war, served as one of commissioners empowered to negotiate peace terms for Texas. Was elected to legislature n 1865 and in 1877. Serving as first chairman of board of regents of University of Texas, set ideals of scholarship. (1965) |
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Robert Thomas Hill Robert Thomas Hill began life on August 11, 1858, in the aristocratic comforts of his parents’ Nashville, Tennessee, home. His family, however, suffered tragic losses during the Civil War and by 1864 young Robert was an orphan living in his grandmother’s Nashville home. He left Nashville in 1874 for Comanche County, Texas. To join his 
brother, Joe, as an employee of a local newspaper known as the “Comanche
Chief.”Hill developed a passion for geology while studying a nearby formation known as Round Mountain. He entered Cornell University in 1882 and in 1887 graduated with honors in Geology. In 1888 the University of Texas established a geology chair to honor Hill for his landmark discovery of cretaceous deposits on Round Mountain. He participated in the state geological survey and identified and named the Balcones Escarpment. In 1891 Hill became president of the Cosmos Club, a society of the nation’s most distinguished scientists. In the 1890s and early 1990s Hill explored aquifer formations in the southwest U.S., West Indies, Mexico, and Central America. Hill’s publications represent on of the most distinguished geological studies produced by one individual. Following his death on July 28, 1941, Hill’s body was cremated and his ashes scattered over Round Mountain. (1995) |
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