Texas Capitol

This image is copyrighted © 2010, by Dave Phillips. All rights reserved. Used by written permission.

Audie L. Murphy Memorial Website

Dmitri Vail painting, 1962, on display the Audie Murphy Cotton Museum in Greenville, Texas. Photo by M.D.Marks. Click for a bigger view.

Sources include www.waymarking.com, www.texasescapes.com, and www.hmdb.org

PLACES TO VISIT: Audie Murphy related locations of interest.
Sponsored by the Audie Murphy Research Foundation, a non-profit, tax-deductible 501(c)(3) educational foundation recognized by the IRS.

Historical Markers
Hunt, Collin, Parker, and Williamson Counties, Texas

Texas Historical marker outside of Kingston, Texas marking the birthplace of Audie Murphy. Photo source: www.waymarking.com

Birthplace of Audie Murphy
Hunt County, Texas

Audie Murphy's birthplace is just off U.S. Highway 69, Hunt County, just north of Greenville, Texas. The actual location of the property where he was born is just off the road by about 400 yards.

Directions:	US 69, 1.5 mi. south of Kingston
Year Dedicated:	1973
Size:	18" x 28"
Decimal Degrees:	N 33 14.002; W 096 09.926
Degrees, minutes:	N 33 14.002; W 096 09.926
Inscription:	Birthplace Of AUDIE MURPHY. Most Decorated Soldier In World War II. Born June 20, 1924 To Emmett and Josie K. Murphy 400 yards east on the W.F. Boles farm. Enlisted in the army on his 18th birthday while working in Greenville. He was awarded 24 citations for bravery in action including Congressional Medal of Honor and French Legion of Honor, Chevalier. After the war, he became a successful actor, with his most prominent role portraying himself in the war film, "To Hell and Back". Died may 28, 1971 in a Virginia plane crash and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (1973)

Texas Historical marker on U.S. Highway 69 located at Celeste, Texas. Photo source: www.waymarking.com

Celeste, Texas
Hunt County, Texas

Audie Murphy lived for a short period of time in Celeste, Texas with his family and at one point, the Murphy family stayed in an abandoned railroad box car. While at Celeste, Murphy was enrolled in the local school through the 8th grade.

Directions:	US 69 at Kingston St. in Celeste, Texas
Year Dedicated:	1973
Size:	27" x 42"
Decimal Degrees:	N 33.290425; W -96.191440
Degrees, minutes:	N 33 17.425; W 096 11.486
Inscription:	Most decorated soldier in World War II. Born 4.5 miles south, June 20, 1924, sixth of nine children of tennant farmers Emmett and Josie Killian Murphy. Living on various farms, Audie Murphy went to school through the 8th grade in Celeste - considered the family's hometown. He had to quit school to help support the family, acquiring marksmanship skills by hunting to provide food. On his 18th birthday, after being rejected by the marines because of his size (5 feet, 7 inches; 130 pounds), he enlisted in the army while working in Greenville. For unusual courage and bravery, he received 24 decorations including the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor, the French Legion of Honor Chevalier, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star. After the war he became a successful actor, his most prominent role portraying himself in the film "To Hell and Back", his war career autobiography. Following his untimely death in a plane crash in Virginia, May 28, 1971, and burial in Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Congress paid him a final tribute dedicating a new veteran's memorial hospital in San Antonio to the memory of the American hero. Survived by widow Pamela, sons Terry and James. (1973)

Texas Historical marker commemorating Audie's homecoming parade, June 15, 1945 at Farmersville, Texas. Photo source: http://www.texasescapes.com

Texas Historical marker commemorating Audie's homecoming parade, June 15, 1945 at Farmersville, Texas. Photo source: www.texasescapes.com and www.waymarking.com

Farmersville, Texas
Collin County, Texas

This historical marker is located on the corner of McKinney Street and Washington in the downtown district of Farmersville, Texas.

Directions:	Go to Farmersville, Texas on U.S. Highway 380. Turn north on S. Main Street and go about 3/4's of a mile to McKinney Street. Turn left and go one block to Washington.
Year Dedicated:	1973
Size:	18" x 28"
Decimal Degrees:	N 33 14.002; W 096 09.926
Degrees, minutes:	N 33 14.002; W 096 09.926
Inscription:	Audie Murphy's Homecoming June 15, 1945. With allied victory in World War II Europe secured, Farmersville celebrated the return of the area's most famous citizen soldier. On his 18th birthday, Audie Murphy enlisted in the U.S. Army at the Greenville Post Office. In more than two years of combat, he fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France and earned every Army citation for valor, including the Congressional Medal of Honor. His homecoming after nearly three years away drew an audience of several thousand to the town square.LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue made the Farmersville ceremony and Murphy's family reunion its cover story, commemorating the efforts of a grateful nation and hometown. Photo source: www.waymarking.com

Texas Historical marker describing the significant historical facts of Farmersville, Texas including a mention about Audie Murphy. Photo source: www.waymarking.com

Farmersville, Texas
Collin County, Texas

Located in Farmersville, Texas this historical marker provides the history of the community while mentioning Audie Murphy.

Directions:	corner of McKinney St and SH 78, Farmersville
Year Dedicated:	1973
Size:	27" x 42"
Decimal Degrees:	N 33.165391; W -96.369454
Degrees, minutes:	N 33 09.923; W 096 22.167
Inscription:	Farmersville - Originated 1849 as a settlement on the Jefferson-McKinney Road, and near Republic of Texas National Road. Named by pioneers for their chief occupation. After 1854, the years and their neighbors of Sugar Hill (2 mi.ne) began relocating here. Dr. H.M. Markham, practicing here by 1855, is said to have been Collin County's earliest physician. The First Methodist Church was organized in 1856. William Gotcher on March 4, 1859, donated land for the public square. A school was operating as early as the 1860s. The First Baptist Church was organized on May 14, 1865. Town was incorporated on June 2, 1873. First Major: John S. Rike. Aldermen: James Church, Ben King, John Murchison, Tom Tatum, John P. Utt. Marshall: Jeff Hines. Institutions of 1880s still in operation include Farmersville "Times" and the First National Bank. As town became a trade center, agriculture kept pace. Farmersville in 1930s was known as the "Onion Capital of North Texas", annually shipping over 1,000 carloads of onions. Along with some small industry, cattle, cotton, and maize crops remain important. Audie Murphy, the most decorated American hero of World War II, had been a resident of Farmersville before he entered the United States Army. (1973)

Texas Historical marker of Fort Wolter in Parker County near Mineral Wells, Texas. Photo source: http://www.waymarking.com

Texas Historical marker of Fort Wolter in Parker County near Mineral Wells, Texas. Photo source: www.waymarking.com

Fort Wolters, Texas
Parker County, Texas

Located near Mineral Wells, Texas this historical landmark designates the location of World War II the basic training camp where many soldiers, including Audie Murphy, began their Army service.

Directions:	Washington and Hood Roads, Mineral Wells, Texas
Year Dedicated:	1999
Size:	27" x 42"
Decimal Degrees:	N 32 49.081; W 098 03.299
Inscription:	Fort Wolters - Located in the counties of Palo Pinto and Parker, Fort Wolters' history dates back to the days of "Old" Camp Wolters, created in 1925 as a National Guard training area under the guidance of General Jacob F. Wolters. On October 13, 1940, the U. S. Army activated Camp Wolters as an infantry replacement center, with the support of Mineral Wells community leaders. Additional lands were bought or donated to the army by local residents to expand the camp to over 7,500 acres. In less than four months, more than 100 buildings were constructed. The original buildings of "Old" Camp Wolters were converted into a P.O.W. camp for German prisoners from North Africa. The prison camp was closed on August 15, 1946, as the last prisoners were returned to their homeland. At its peak, Camp Wolters was home to more than 30,000 soldiers per training cycle. Among the notable war heroes that passed through the camp were Lt. Jack Knight and Audie Murphy, both of whom were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. After World War II Fort Wolters was deactivated as an army training facility and reactivated in 1951 as Wolters Air Force Base. In 1956, it was designated Camp Wolters Army Base, and was used for helicopter flight training with more than 1,000 helicopters stationed at three different heliports. The base was expanded to cover nearly 722,000 acres of land for flight training purposes. In 1963 it was designated Fort Wolters. The fort also became the site of a Nike missile installation until it reverted once again to the National Guard after the Vietnam War. Fort Wolters was officially closed for military service on February 1, 1973. (1999)

Texas Historical marker of John Berry, great grandfather of Audie Murphy, located at Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas. Photo source: www.hmdb.org

John Berry, Frontiersman
Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas

Audie Murphy's immediate ancestory included at least one notable historical figures, such as his great-grandfather, frontiersman John Berry, and Berry's sons, all of which were Texas Rangers. This marker provides information detailing important details of Audie Murphy's lineage.

Directions:	At entrance to Berry Springs Park, this marker is in this post office area of Georgetown, Texas 78626.
Address:	1801 County Road 152; Georgetown, TX 78626
Year Dedicated:	1978
Degrees, minutes:	N 30° 40.983′, W 97° 38.322′
Inscription:	John Berry, Frontiersman. (1786–1866) A native of Kentucky and veteran of the War of 1812, John Berry moved in 1816 to Indiana. In 1827 he brought his family to the Atascosito District of Texas. Mexico awarded him lots in Liberty and Mina (Bastrop) when those towns were founded. Berry’s oldest sons, Joseph (1811–1842), John Bate (1813–1891), and Andrew Jackson (1816–1899), served in the Republic of Texas Army. All three were Texas Rangers before and after the War for Independence (1836) and in the Battle of Plum Creek (1840). Joseph was the first casualty in the Mier Expedition (1842), and John Bate was in Perote Prison for a year. A Williamson County pioneer, John Berry settled three miles northeast of Georgetown in 1846. He built a blacksmith and gun shop and a spring-driven grist mill near Berry Creek. Berry had 18 children by his three wives: Betsy Smeathers (d. 1818), daughter of pioneer Texan William Smeathers (Smothers); Gracie Treat (d. 1830); and Hannah Devore (1812–1904). Five sons and three sons-in-law served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War (1861–1865). Berry died at age 80 and was buried near his home. His descendants include a great-grandson, Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in American history.

Texas Historical marker of the old Greenville Post Office, Greenville, Texas where Audie Murphy and other World War II servicemembers were inducted. Photo source: www.flickr.com

Old Greenville Post Office
Hunt County, Texas

Located in Greenville, Texas this historical landmark designates the location of where Audie Murphy was inducted into the U.S. Army for active duty service during World War II.

Directions:	2920 Lee St. at King St., Greenville, Texas
Year Dedicated:	1975
Size:	18" x 28"
Decimal Degrees:	N 33.139636; W 96.110633
Degrees, minutes:	N 33 08.378; W 096 06.638
Inscription:	The Old Greenville Post Office - Tradition says mail came from Jefferson in early days and was dropped at a saloon. Greenville Post Office was created in 1847, and occupied rented quarters until 1910, when this structure was built. Neo-classic in style, it became an important element in architectural development of the city. In 1930, it was enlarged. Audie Murphy joined the army in this building on June 20, 1942, his 18th birthday; later he became the most decorated soldier of World War II. The city of Greenville acquired the structure in 1973 for historic preservation.

Texas Historical Cemetery marker of Prairie Grove Cemetery, also called Aleo Cemetery, where Audie Murphy's mother Josie Bell Killian Murphy and his grandparents are buried. Photo source: www.waymarking.com

Prairie Grove Cemetery
Colin County, Texas

Located in Colin, Texas this historical landmark designates the location of where Audie Murphy mother, Josie Bell Killian Murphy, and her parents were buried.

Directions:	Nevada, Texas
Year Dedicated:	2005
Decimal Degrees:	N 33 06.116; W 096 21.624
Inscription:	The Prairie Grove Cemetery served residents of the Aleo community from the late 1800's until the middle of the 20th century. The burial ground has ties to the Prairie Grove Baptist Church, which set aside land to be used for burials. The oldest known grave in the cemetery dates to 1895. World War II hero Audie Murphy lived in the area for a time, and his mother and grandparents are buried here. Victims of the 1927 tornado that came through nearby Nevada are also interred here. A vestige of rural settlement of the 195h century, the cemetery serves as a reminder of the pioneer community of Aleo. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2005.

Maps
Birthplace near Kingston, Texas
Celeste, Texas
Farmersville, Texas (Downtown)
Farmersville, Texas
Fort Wolter, Texas
John Berry Marker, Georgetown, Texas
Old Greenville Post Office
Prairie Grove Cemetery

Click to see the next place worth visiting.

Summary

Quick Links
Home
Message Boards
Guestbook
About the Foundation

Copyright © 1996, Audie Murphy Research Foundation (AMRF), all rights reserved. Images, likenesses, and the signature of Audie Murphy are trademarked by the AMRF. Photos are provided courtesy of the AMRF and may not be reproduced or copied for commercial purposes without permission of the copyright owner. Photos may be used for educational purposes.

Last Update: June 23, 2020