The Stone Houses

The Stone Houses were named for shapes resembling teepees and were an Indian ceremonial ground that yielded war paint. In the famed Battle of Stone Houses on Nov. 10, 1837, Lt. A. Van Benthousen and 18 Rangers, hunting stolen horses, were attacked 1.5 miles west of here by 150 Keechis. Ten Rangers and 50 Indians died in the 3-hour battle. The Indians fired the grass. The Rangers lost their horses but escaped through a ravine and walked back to settlements. In 1874, the area's first permanent home was built near the stone houses, and 5 mi. west of here, by English-born Dr. R. O. Prideaux (1844-1930), who helped organize this county.

Texas · United States