Born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, John Holliday came to Texas about 1835, joined the Texian Army, and was one of 24 survivors of the Goliad Massacre on March 27, 1836. He later joined the Texian-Santa Fe Expedition and, en route to New Mexico on Aug. 4, 1841, carved his name on a tree in this vicinity. After reaching Santa Fe, the party was arrested and marched to Perote Prison near Mexico City. In Aug. 1842, Holliday was released, but he died of yellow fever aboard ship two days from Galveston and was buried at sea. Nearby Holliday Creek and the town of Holliday were named for the carving on the tree.