Explore the History of Ogletree Gap

Marsden Ogletree was an early settler of our area. Just when he came to this locality is unknown, but he was here by 1878.  It was in 1878 that he constructed a building of native stone which was located in the cove of mountains southwest of town. The building stands there and can be seen from Highway 190 on the right by those traveling towards Lampasas. It is located on private property, however. The stone house served several purposes-private dwelling, something of a general store, and stage stop or relay station for those traveling from Georgetown to Fort Gates.

Later, it was sold by Ogletree and became the ranching headquarters of Jesse M. Clements, who played a significant role in the development of our town. But the building's chief historical significance lies in the fact that it served as the first post office of the settlement growing up around the mountain cove. Application was made in 1878 for a post office to be named The Cove. Mr. Ogletree's relay-station-general store etc. was to serve as the location. But the application was denied. Another Cove existed in the County and no such duplication was permitted by the U.S. Mail.

Records of the Post Office Department in the National Archives show that the other Cove post office was established February 23, 1876. Its name was changed to Evant January 29, 1885. A new application was submitted shortly thereafter adding the Copperas portion of our name. The request was approved March 25, 1879. It was Mr. Ogletree's stone building, then, that Copperas Cove was first officially applied.

Marsden Ogletree was named the first postmaster, and he served in this capacity, records show, about a year. The post office left its original location in 1880 or 1881 and moved to town to await the arrival of the railroad in 1882.  Marsden Ogletree did not leave the area. He is buried in the center of the Copperas Cove Cemetery, his grave quietly marked by a simple tablet. It reads, "M. Ogletree; born October 13, 1819; died January 30, 1896."

Little has been recorded or passed down about Marsden Ogletree, but his old stone building still stands to remind us of the days of stagestops perhaps the most historical place in Copperas Cove, for here the community's name was first applied and where the mailman first stopped.  It was here, more than 100 years ago, that Copperas Cove came into being.