Tarkington Prairie, Texas

Tarkington Prairie is a primarily rural unincorporated community spread out over approximately 238 square miles (620 km²) in northeastern Liberty County, Texas, United States. Educational services are provided by Tarkington ISD, fire protection by Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department, emergency medical services by City of Cleveland EMS, and law enforcement by Liberty County Sheriff's Office.

History

The area that now constitutes Tarkington was settled in 1826 when the first settlers purchased land from the Mexican government and became ranchers. The flat, wooded land was once open prairie where cattle grazed.

The area is named for one of these early settlers, Burton Tarkington, who is buried in McGinnis Cemetery and is remembered with an historical marker located in front of the Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department station.

There are three other historical markers in Tarkington: one at the Old Wells Store at the corner of State Highway 321 and County Road 2274, another at Ryan Cemetery on State Highway 321 near County Road 300, and one in front of Oak Shade Baptist Church on County Road 2212 (locally known as Oak Shade Road).

External links

• Tarkington Prairie, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Tarkington Family History Wiki - Tarkington Prairie
• Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department - Tarkington Volunteer Fire Department

Municipalities and communities of Liberty County, Texas, United States County seat: Liberty Cities Ames Cleveland Daisetta Dayton Dayton Lakes Devers Hardin Liberty Mont Belvieu‡ North Cleveland Old River-Winfree‡ Plum Grove Town Kenefick CDPs Big Thicket Lake Estates‡ Hull Other unincorporated communities Dolen Eastgate Hightower Hoop and Holler Macedonia Moss Bluff Moss Hill Rayburn Raywood Romayor Rye Stilson Tarkington Prairie Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Coordinates: 30°17′N 94°59′W / 30.29°N 94.98°W / 30.29; -94.98