Mark in Texas History: Black military heroes honored in White Oak after 12-year effort

WHITE OAK, Texas (KLTV) - A new historical marker in Gregg County is honoring Black military heroes from the Shiloh community, a recognition 12 years in the making.

Between the 1870s and 1890s, the Shiloh community in White Oak consisted of a church, school and cemetery for African Americans.

Gregg County Historical Commission board member Gregg Muckelroy said the area was a slave encampment prior to the Civil War.

In 1892, three acres were donated to Christian’s ancestors. Generations grew from there.

The new historical marker credits rightful ownership of the land to Shiloh Baptist Church.

Executive Director of Christian Restoration Community Debra Christian chose the land to honor military sacrifices made by those from the Shiloh community.

“As I kept doing our history, I wanted people to know about all the Christians have fought for over 250 years for America,” Christian said.

Muckelroy said those buried in Shiloh’s cemetery range from soldiers who fought in major U.S. wars to those who were fought for.

“Not only veterans, but they have people that were born into slavery that are buried here, so, I guess they were veterans of their period,” Muckelroy said.

The historical marker honoring these heroes was unveiled on May 25.

The marker can be visited at 1238 Shiloh Drive in White Oak. Two other markers are also located in Shiloh at the church and the former Rosenwald School.