In January 1867, 435 freedmen, women and children left Kingstree, South Carolina to travel by train, ship, and train again to land in Marlin/Falls County, Texas, where they hoped to build a better life for themselves and their families. On July 11, 2026, a monument will be installed at the Falls County Courthouse to memorialize the names of every traveler who made this brave journey.
The Falls County Commissioners Court met on March 9, 2026, Judge Jay Elliott presiding. Commissioners present were Milton Albright (Pct. 1), F. A. Green (Pct. 2), Jason Willberg (Pct. 3) and Nita Wuebker (Pct. 4). ADA Steve Sharp was in attendance Minutes were approved from the February 23, 2026 meeting. In other matters, Commissioners approved (1) payment of the Centex RC & D annual membership dues (2) quote (minus taxes) for computer monitors for the Auditor and Treasurer’s Department (3) purchase of handheld thermal for the Sheriff’s Office and (4) new computer for the Sheriff’s Office medical department. Commissioners also approved King’s Pump Service to install a complete well pumping system at the Falls County Sheriff’s Office.
New Inductees for RLHS National Honor Society
Members of the Rosebud Wednesday Study Club travelled to Temple on Wednesday March 11 and visited the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. They were greeted by Courtney Carter, Educational Coordinator, who explained that in the 1880’s there was a need for a major junction point to provide services for railroad equipment, passengers, and employees and Temple was the perfect spot. The railroad laid out a town plan and auctioned off both residential and commercial lots on June 29, 1881, and by the end of the day, a total of 157 commercial and 28 residential lots were sold. The GC&SF christened the new town of Temple in honor of Bernard M. Temple, chief civil engineer of the railroad who built the tracks through Bell County.