Another town, another engine.
Like many areas we have visited, Livingston, TX’s economy was largely influenced by timber. The W. T. Carter & Bro. Engine #5 is a coal burning steam engine which signifies the importance of the timber industry established in Polk County over 150 years ago and continues to be of importance today. The engine was built in 1911 by Philadelphia’s Baldwin Locomotive Works and was in operation until 1952.
In the same area as Engine #5 is the Jonas Davis Log Cabin. Jonas Davis was one of the last Pakana Muskogee Indians to reside in Polk County. Jonas and his wife Hortense
built the cabin in 1933 on a bluff overlooking Kickapoo Creek. Originally the cabin had a mud and stick chimney and several rooms built with milled lumber as were the walls, ceiling, and floor. Newspaper was used for wall insulation.
The Polk County Museum was full of information regarding the development of the area. One of the more interesting items was a pair of Cop-pa-chee sticks used in a Native American ball game renamed lacrosse by the French. There was also a picture of
Engine #5 working in the timber industry.
Visiting towns with histories involving railroads makes us realize just how important the railroad was and is in the development and industry of our country.
The Log Cabin is very dear to my family I am one of Jonas Davis grand-daughters. My family have many memories of our grandfather and our grandmother.
Thanks for the comment. We enjoyed our visit to the Log Cabin.
I am so glad that people come to visit my great grandparents home. It means a lot to the family that other people are interested in our history.