ROSEDALE NURSERY TO RECEIVE OFFICAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER
The Rosedale Nursery, located at the corner of FM 577 and Rosedale Drive will be the site of a dedication of an Official Texas Historical Market on Saturday, July 18th at 10:30am.
The Texas Historical Commission has recognized Rosedale Nursery as a significant part of Texas history by awarding it an Official Texas Historical Market, being designated an important and education part of local history.
Speakers for the morning will include Arthur Geick and Edwin Schmid.
In 1859, William Watson, along with his wife, Sarah Warren, emigrated from Ireland and settled in Brenham. The following hear, he established the Rosedale Nursery, one of the first horticultural nurseries in this region of Texas. The fledgling nursery was located on three acres in town.
Watson served in the Confederate Army, and after the war, he resumed his business, and in 1869 he moved his business to a larger acreage 2 ½ miles east of Brenham. After his wife Sarah died of Yellow Fever, he later married Carrie J Thomason.
During the 1870’s, as the reputation of Rosedale grew, Watson purchased additional acreage adjoin his original homestead. His foremost introduction was the Rosedale arborvitae, an evergreen shrub, which he sent out in 1874.
William Watson continued to operate the nursery until his death from heart failure in 1897. His is buried besides his first wife and children in Prairie Lea Cemetery.
Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC says that “the Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation. Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of our state’s history. This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources.”
A subject qualifies for a marker if two basic criteria are met: historical significance and age. Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history, and the age requirement depends on the topic.
The THC’s Official Texas Marker Policies are outlined in the Official Texas Historical Marker Procedures Division, Texas Historical Commission at 512-463-5853, or visiting the website at www.the.state.tx.us