Old Gray Mare Band

The 142nd Infantry Band of the 36th division of the U. S. Army began during the first World War. Band leader R. Wright Armstrong reformed the group in Brownwood in Nov. 1921. They played at such notable events as American Legion Conventions in New Orleans and San Francisco and the 1923 inauguration of Gov. Pat Neff, who proclaimed them the official band of Texas. The band marched behind an actual mare and rider into hotels, state capitol buildings and democratic party national conventions in Houston (1928) and Chicago (1932). Wearing distinctive red silk shirts, yellow bandanas, patent leather boots and sombreros, the Old Gray Mare Band spread the spirit of Texas across the state and nation. 175 Years of Texas Independence * 1836 - 2011

Old Gray Mare Band is a historical marker in Brownwood, Brown County, dedicated in 2011. It is one of 54 historical markers documented in Brown County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 74 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.7161, -98.9806 near Brownwood. The nearest cataloged historic site is Santa Fe Railroad Station (historic place), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Brownwood Harvey House, Brooke Smith, and "Hey Paula".

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016938. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.