|
Palace
Theatre and Cafe by RR tracks
TE photo, April 2003 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
The town was named
after early settler John Marlin, the County after the falls of the
Brazos River. County was originally part of Milam
and Limestone.
A hot artesian spring was struck by accident in 1893 and the
town became known for its curative waters. This was the era of health
awareness (people became aware of how little they had) and what better
excuse was there for leaving home, than "taking the cure" in Marlin?
Even today you can drink from a fountain from that era, right next
to the Chamber of Commerce Office. You can soak your feet too, and
they've thoughtfully provided a separate facility for that purpose.
Water has a tendancy to purge and locals have timed it's effects at
43 minutes. |
Historical
Marker:
Marlin
In 1851, one year
after Falls County
was created, the town of Marlin was designated county seat. Formerly
known as Adams, it was renamed for area pioneer John Marlin.
The first courthouse was a log structure which also served as a school
and community gathering place. A post office was established in 1851,
the city was incorporated in 1867, and railroad service began in the
1870s. The discovery of hot mineral water wells in 1892 caused an
economic boom. Spas, hotels, and hospitals were built, and Marlin
was a noted health resort for the next fifty years.
1990 |
|
|
Men
drinking from hot artesian spring in Marlin, circa 1920
Old postcard |
Marlin, Texas
Landmarks / Attractions:
|
Marlin historic
downtown has many antique sources.
Falls on the Brazos Park has canoeing, camping and fishing
( Any Marlins caught must be released).
Brick collectors can find Marlin Bricks at downtown antique
stores.
The Falls County Historical Museum
Hour: Mondays and Fridays 1-4 P.M.
Phone: 245-883-910. |
Palace
Theatre
TE photo, April 2003 |
|
|
Falls Hotel today
Photo courtesy George Lester, 5-2004 |
The Falls
Hotel
Conrad Hilton's Eighth
"I guess you know the history of this famous old hotel in Marlin.
It had a tunnel going to a bathhouse across the street. The bathhouse
is gone and the tunnel has been blocked off.
During the depression I stood on the sidewalk just to the left of
the entrance way shelter and watched a "human fly" scale the wall.
I don't know how high he climbed because I couldn't stand to watch
the full ascent. I believe the only thing he received from his daring
act was the net proceeds from a passed hat. I heard that he told someone
when it was all over that the biggest danger he faced was starving
to death." - George Lester, May 18, 2004 |
Blue Ridge Baptist
Church in SE Marlin
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, August 2005 |
St. Paul's United
Church Of Christ north of Marlin
Photo courtesy Michael Baxter, 2007 |
Marlin, Texas
Vintage Photos:
|
| Photo
courtesy Larry W. Johnson |
Marlin, Texas
Chronicles
Hot
Air Verses by Mike Cox
Back when Dr. John Walter Torbett practiced medicine in Marlin,
his patients could buy his “Hot Air Verses from the Hot Water Town”
from him for a quarter or at the local Renfro Drug Store. The 88-page
softcover booklet offered a mixture of the good doctor’s doggerel
and medical advice that for the most part rings surprisingly true
more than a century after he published it.
Common
Sense Justice in Marlin by Mike Cox
“Battery Dan” Finn's renown for putting “equity before the law,”
seems to have come to the judicial notice of Marlin’s mayor, F.
S. Heffner...
Bring
Me the Head of My Least Favorite Nephew by John Troesser
Getting what you wish for in Marlin, Texas, 1908
The
Movies in 1930s Marlin by George Lester
Our dad gave us each a quarter to spend on our big "Saturday-go-to-town"
day ...
|
Marlin,
Texas Tourist Information
Marlin Chamber of Commerce - 254-883-2171
245 Coleman St.
Website: www.marlintexas.com |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
