How often do you think about Dairy, Texas? It is now called Alief. This Dairy Plaque marks a fascinating piece of local history. It is a tangible reminder of Alief’s transformation.
The Dairy Plaque commemorates the original name of this town. The town was surveyed in 1894 and was recognized by Harris County. Surveyors decided on the name Dairy. Dr. John S. Magee and his wife Alief Ozelda Magee were the first settlers. They moved here from Ellis County.
Alief Ozelda Magee became the town’s first postmistress. She applied to open the first post office in 1895. On August 16, 1895, the post office opened. To avoid confusion with Daisy Texas the postal service called the office “Alief” in her honor.
This Dairy Plaque stands as a testament to Alief Ozelda Magee’s contribution. It also represents the early days of this community. Alief was a small rural farm community. It was first settled in 1894.
Imagine Alief in those early days. Picture a landscape of prairie. See scattered farmhouses. Think about the anticipation of a new post office. Alief Ozelda Magee running the post office from her home must have been a pillar of the community.
The Texas State Historical Marker was placed here in 1990. It marks the site of that original post office. The Dairy Plaque is located on the south side of 7th Street. Look between F Street and G Street.
Alief faced many challenges in its early years. The Flood of 1899 and the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 were devastating. The Methodist Episcopal Church was destroyed. Cotton and corn crops were ruined. Twenty-four of the thirty families relocated.
Despite the setbacks Alief persevered. Jacamiah Seaman Daugherty encouraged the remaining families to grow rice. Rice became a successful cash crop. It persuaded many to return to Alief.
The town officially became “Alief Texas” in 1917. The Dairy School District became the Alief Independent School District. Alief began to grow. Automobiles arrived by 1920.
The Dairy Plaque reminds us of Alief’s resilience. Alief overcame natural disasters and name changes. It grew into the diverse city we see today.
This area experienced rapid population growth in the 1970s and 1980s. It became one of the most ethnically diverse areas in Houston. Today Alief is a vibrant working-class suburb.
Take a moment to appreciate this Dairy Plaque. Consider the lives of those early settlers. Remember Alief Ozelda Magee. Her contribution helped shape this community. The Dairy Plaque is more than just a marker. It is a connection to Alief’s past. It is a symbol of its enduring spirit. It marks Alief’s journey from a small town named Dairy to the bustling suburb it is today.