See the last remaining international boundary marker for the Republic of Texas

The last remaining boundary marker, a sizable granite pillar, for the Republic of Texas still stands at the border of Texas and Louisiana on FM-31. It’s about six miles from the Louisiana border and some 10 miles from Deadwood, Texas in Panola county. Atlas Obscura community member Brian Carusella took a host of photos of the marker and the area around it for the outlet's coverage of the quirky Texas history tidbit. less The last remaining boundary marker, a sizable granite pillar, for the Republic of Texas still stands at the border of Texas and Louisiana on FM-31. It’s about six miles from the Louisiana border and some 10 ... more Photo: Brian Carusella Photo: Brian Carusella Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close See the last remaining international boundary marker for the Republic of Texas 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

A seemingly forgotten piece of Texas history rests in Carthage, deep behind the pine curtain. It’s a reminder of the state’s beginnings as its own nation.

The last remaining boundary marker for the Republic of Texas, a sizable granite pillar, still stands near the border of Texas and Louisiana on FM-31. It’s about six miles from the Louisiana border and some 10 miles from Deadwood, Texas in Panola county.

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The marker dates back to 1841, nearly five years before Texas officially became part of the United States after a decade as its own country.

Nearby, there is a marker denoting that the small community Galloway was where classic country artist Jim Reeves was born.

According to Atlas Obscura the rest of Texas' national boundary markers have since been reclaimed to the land or disappeared, likely into a family collection. That would be no small feat as the pillars are actually 10 feet in length.

Atlas Obscura community member Brian Carusella took a host of photos of the marker and the area around it for the outlet's coverage of the quirky Texas history tidbit.

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You can check out the marker’s official National Register of Historic Places nomination form from 1977, wherein it notes that the marker wasn’t found until 1971 by woodsmen working the land.

The State of Texas’ historical marker notes that this is believed to be the last remaining, original international boundary marker within the contiguous United States. The marker text reads in part:

“When Texas became a republic in 1836, it appointed a joint commission with the U.S. to survey and mark the established boundary from the Gulf of Mexico up the Sabine River and on to the Red River… This is the only known marker remaining, and it is believed to be the only original international boundary marker within the contiguous U.S. Today, the border between Texas and Louisiana follows the Sabine River to the 32nd parallel, at which point it connects to the boundary established by Hunt and Forsyth. The Texas Historical Foundation purchased this site to provide public access to the early boundary marker.”

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The marker is nearly a four-hour drive from Houston proper, so it’s worth throwing on the itinerary of your next Texas history road trip.

Carthage, just northwest of the marker, is the small Texas city made infamous by the Richard Linklater film “Bernie,” which told the true story of Bernie Tiede, the mild-mannered mortician that shot and killed his companion Marjorie "Marge" Nugent in late 1996.

He was re-sentenced in April 2016 to 99 years or life in prison.

(h/t Atlas Obscura)