Judge William Henry Hord’s story echoes through this very spot. Here, in front of the American Legion Post 275, stands a tangible piece of Dallas history: The Hord Log Cabin Plaque. The plaque marks where Hord built his family’s first permanent home west of the Trinity River.
Let’s journey back to 1845. William Hord, a county judge from Tennessee, brought his family to Texas. They traveled by covered wagon, seeking a new life. The Republic of Texas, eager to grow, partnered with investors to attract settlers. The Peters Colony Company granted Hord 640 acres. On this land, Hord built a one-and-a-half story cabin of hand-hewn logs. The structure included a chimney of white limestone blocks and handcut shingles. A clever “refrigerator,” a hole cut into rocks lining an icy spring, kept food cool.
Hord’s Ridge, as the area became known, was almost the Dallas County seat in 1850. Imagine the bustling life around The Hord Log Cabin. The Hords ran a boardinghouse. Mary Hord taught English to local children. Even the Delaware Indians, who had a village nearby, would trade skins and honey.
William Hord was a prominent figure. He served as Dallas County Judge from 1848 to 1850. He became a Brigadier General in the Texas Militia. He helped form the Dallas Light Artillery Battery. Also, he signed resolutions supporting the restoration of states’ rights after the Civil War.
The Hord family significantly influenced early Dallas. Hord’s wife, Mary, ran a boarding school for girls in their home. One of Mary’s brothers even became the second mayor of Dallas. Their daughter married W. A. Crawford.
In 1887, developer T.L. Marsalis bought the Hord property. The area transformed into Oak Cliff. Marsalis understood that naming the area for the stately green oaks on the cliff was more appealing.
The Hord Log Cabin faced demolition in 1926. Thankfully, Martin and Charlotte Weiss rescued and restored it. They rebuilt the chimney, roof, and porch, but the walls and mantel remain original. In 1942, the Weiss family donated the cabin to the American Legion. The Hord Log Cabin became a museum in 1976.
The Hord Log Cabin Plaque stands as a reminder. It commemorates Judge William H. Hord, an early Dallas leader. It marks the site of his family’s pioneering home. The cabin serves as a symbol of perseverance. It also represents community spirit. It has witnessed the growth of Dallas from a frontier settlement to a thriving city. Take a moment to appreciate this piece of history. Think about the Hord family’s legacy.